‘Workload impacting morale of teachers’

A third of teachers say they would pick a different career if they could make the choice again, according to a new survey that highlights the impact of workload on morale.

The research, published by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) Scotland, also found only half of teachers feel satisfied with their job, and most do not feel their profession is valued in society.

The union said the findings indicated staff morale and professionalism is “being seriously damaged”.

Almost 1,400 teachers in schools across Scotland responded to the NASUWT study, which was carried out by Stirling University.

It found 54% would still choose the profession again, with 50% agreeing they were satisfied with their job.

But 33% said they would pick another career, and 72% disagreed with a statement that “the profession is valued in society”.

On workload, based on a scale of one to 10, with 10 the highest, 60%ofsecondaryschoolteachers and 50% of primary teachers rated theirs as nine or above.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of teachers said they took work home three times or more each week, and nearly six in 10 (58%) reported they had after school meetings almost every week.

Chris Keates, NASUWT generalsecretary,said:“teachers’ morale and professionalism is being seriously damaged by the failure to value the profession and take tangible and effective action to tackle the excessive workload and cuts to pay which are driving teachers away from the profession.”

Similar workload concerns have been raised by other teaching unions, including the Educational Institute of Scotland.

Its survey, earlier this month, found 85% of respondents reporting an increase in workload in the past year.

Chris Keates, the NASUWT’S general secretary.