Pupils real losers in classroom stress test

New figures on the number of teaching hours lost to stress and poor mental health are a sobering warning to the authorities. Across Dundee, Angus and Fife, the figures are increasing. Perth and Kinross did not respond to a request for information but if it is showing a reduction, it would be bucking a national trend.

While it is obvious not every instance of absence will be related to the job itself, there are enough cases to make it a major concern.

Stretched budgets and increased workloads mean absence rates are unlikely to move in the right direction when the next study is carried out.

While teachers may be in line for a new pay deal, far above the rate of most public sector workers, this is also unlikely to affect work-related absence.

The EIS is never shy of creating a headline but it remains Scotland’s largest teaching union and must be heeded when it warns of a “toxic combination” of factors keeping teachers out of the classroom and causing three quarters of the workforce to feel stressed.

Teacher training numbers are increasing and vacancy rates are dropping – two issues being tackled with a degree of success.

Improving the mental health of staff must remain high on John Swinney’s “to do” list. Ultimately, it is the pupils who will suffer the most from these absences.