'Working conditions in Scottish schools akin to Victorian workhouse'

A damning open letter claimed to be written by a teacher so worn down by the education system that they contemplated suicide has described working in the profession as being “akin to a Victorian workhouse”.

In the letter, published on a new blog which gives teachers the chance to post letters anonymously, the teacher said: “Classroom teaching in Scotland means you are subjected to abuse and violence every day.

“You are so overworked and paid so poorly, it feels akin to a Victorian workhouse.

“Working for the local authority includes rampant bullying from senior management so much so that you cannot even voice an opinion in fear of being disciplined.”

The letter is the latest in a series of attacks on the Scottish Government’s education provision and gives a harrowing and personal insight into the stresses and pressures faced by teachers on a daily basis.

The teacher continued: “There have been times I have broken down, contemplated suicide and wanted to walk away from a career I care deeply about.

“I don’t want my own child to attend the local high school.

“I don’t want to work in education any more.

“I’m an SNP member. I don’t want to be any more.”

A former primary headteacher, who recently resigned over working conditions, also wrote an open letter to Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney on the same website, urging them to “sit up and listen before it is too late”.

After nearly 14 years working in the profession, the anonymous ex-headteacher wrote that they were leaving teaching for good because “the burden has become too much”.

The letter talked about the increasing workloads and expectations which followed the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence despite having “less and less” resources.

The former headteacher said: “I too have a family, I too have to think about my health and happiness and when that is threatened by over work and the lack of respect from our politicians, like Mr Swinney who has suggested that we do not know what we want or need, the time has come to take a stand.

“In my very small way, this has come through my resignation.

“My colleagues understand that my integrity will no longer allow me to continue in a profession where we are being forced by our political masters to constantly flit from initiative to initiative with no time to support staff to develop and embed what truly makes a difference.”

The Dear Madam President website was launched by a teacher based in Fife amid growing unrest among Scottish teachers.

It comes after a breakdown in pay negotiations between the Scottish Government and teaching unions, which resulted in the EIS considering a ballot on possible industrial action.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Deputy First Minister John Swinney visits schools and meets with teachers week in, week out and greatly values their robust and constructive feedback.

“Shortly after being appointed Education Secretary in 2016, the DFM established the Teacher Panel as a new forum to directly listen to and engage with teachers.

 “The widespread topics addressed by panel include the curriculum, tackling bureaucracy, assessment, benchmarks, national qualifications, mainstreaming, additional support for learning, initial teacher education, recruitment and retention and pupil participation.

“We also oppose all forms of sexism and education is one of the sectors we are working with as we develop our action plan to address the gender pay gap.”