Scots teachers working some of longest hours

Union says class sizes are also too big as it starts campaign

Scotland’s teachers are working some of the longest hours in the world, a union has claimed as it launches a new campaign against “excessive” workloads.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, Scotland’s largest teachers’ union, said teachers were having to work long hours in large classes.

He said the number of children in classes has a “profound impact” on both teacher workload and pupils’ learning experiences.

The union has now launched a new national survey to find out more about the conditions teachers have to deal with in the classroom.

The EIS wants to cut both class sizes and the number of hours a week teachers spend in the classroom to 20.

Mr Flanagan said: “Scotland’s teachers work some of the longest hours in the world, with a far larger teaching commitment than teachers in most other countries.

“Scotland also has large class sizes, with a profound impact on both teacher workload and the learning environment of pupils.

“The EIS is committed to campaigning to address these issues, with the aim of cutting both maximum class size and teachers’ maximum class contact hours to 20.

“These campaign aims will become a major focus as we move towards negotiations on teachers’ next pay settlement, due in April next year.”

Research previously carried out by the union in 2018 found 82% of teachers were unhappy with their workload.

Around nine out of 10 (88%) said their stress levels had either increased or remained the same – with 76% stating they felt stressed “frequently” or “all of the time” at work.

Almost two-thirds (64%) reported working more than five hours longer than their contracted weekly hours.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have undertaken a range of actions to reduce teacher workload, including simplifying the curriculum framework and removing unnecessary bureaucracy.

“In addition, we are working with the teaching profession, including EIS, on the development of new professional learning opportunities for teachers focussing on their health and wellbeing.

“Our work to improve conditions for teachers is further demonstrated by the pay deal agreed last year, which delivers a 13% rise over three years and provides a shared agenda with employers and teacher unions on addressing.”