Trainees being put off careers in teaching

Poor pay, stress and long hours are putting some trainees off a career in teaching.

A survey by Holyrood’s education committee revealed the difficulties facing school staff across Scotland.

Almost 700 trainees, teachers and other school staff responded to a questionnaire seeking their experiences on recruitment and retention.

Of the 51 trainees who took part, nine said they did not consider teaching a career while a further seven were unsure.

Reasons given included long working hours, poor pay and lack of support, lack of pay and promotion opportunities, workload and stress levels and lack of respect from pupils, parents and government.

Senior management held little appeal for most of those surveyed, with one discouraged by “the incredible workload and stress” of head teachers.

The committee also received 74 submissions from head teachers and senior school management.

One secondary school deputy head teacher said: “At present many of my colleagues are looking into lucrative teaching opportunities in the Middle East.”

Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman and committee member, said: “Of all the concerns raised by the teachers who submitted evidence to the Education Committee, it is those relating to the quality of teacher training that should worry the Scottish Government the most.”