Scottish teachers working at least one extra day per week

Excessive workload is placing significant strain on Scottish teachers as six out of ten admit to working more than an extra day per week.

A survey of 12,000 teachers carried out by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) also revealed that one in four teachers say no time is factored in for assessment-related workload in their school Working Time Agreement.

The EIS annual general meeting was due to get underway on Thursday in Perth, with increasing workload set to dominate the motions being debated.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Teachers across Scotland have serious concerns about the excessive workload demands that are being placed upon them.

“These concerns are common across all levels of school, at all grades of post and in all parts of the country.

“Teachers are working many additional hours over and above their contractual commitments, with serious impact on their family life and on their mental and physical wellbeing.

“The EIS welcomes the commitments to reduce workload that were written into the recent SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) agreement on teachers’ pay – and we now expect local authorities and the Scottish Government to make quick progress in delivering those commitments.

“The results of our recent survey, together with the debates to be held at AGM over the next three days, serve as a stark warning of the need to lighten the excessive workload burden that continues to be placed upon Scotland’s teachers.

“Addressing excessive workload is as important an issue as pay, if teaching is to be seen as an attractive career for highly qualified graduates.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Tavish Scott said: “Scotland’s education minister claims he is tackling teacher workload in the classroom. This survey shows he is not.

“A majority of teachers reporting that they have to do an extra day’s worth of work every week should come as no surprise.

“Teachers routinely go well over and above what is required, but that doesn’t make this situation right and it shouldn’t simply be accepted. When will the SNP accept the reality of teaching after 12 years of their government?”