A popular teacher forced to give up the career he loved due to terminal illness has accused Fife Council of a “disgraceful” response to his application for early retirement.
Wheelchair-bound Donald Grewar is debilitated by motor neurone disease, struggles to talk and relies on a breathing aid. He repeatedly phoned the council to press for his case to be dealt with as many emails went unanswered.
It took 11 weeks for him to receive an offer, which he said was only due to his efforts to start the ball rolling with the council’s pension agency and the intervention of North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins.
Former maths and guidance teacher, Mr Grewar was so well-respected by his pupils an annual charity fun run they launched in his name raised over £20,000 in its first year.
He said: “During my teaching career I have sought to perform to the highest personal and professional standards.
“In tragic irony, my career has ended witnessing shabby, unprofessional and negligent treatment.”
Mr Grewar was diagnosed with the uncurable condition, which attacks nerves and can leave sufferers unable to walk, talk, eat or breathe unaided, but continued teaching until October, last year.
He also said he stood to lose three weeks of pay, as he was only informed recently that his sickness absence wages would end in September rather October as he expected.
He said: “The council has done nothing on my behalf. I’m sitting at home with a terminal illness.
“I have taught for 26 years and thoroughly enjoyed it, and I believe I have done a good job, and this is a ridiculous way to leave the profession.”
Shelagh McLean, the council’s head of education and children’s services, said: “While we can’t go into the details of this case, as we have to respect the privacy of our employees, it’s important to say that we sincerely empathise with Mr Grewar and his family.
“We work to support our employees when they are making decisions about their future and to help them put their wishes into place.
“There can be a number of different agencies involved in this and we do our best to go through the process as quickly as possible.
“It was never our intention to cause any distress in this case and we are truly sorry that Mr Grewar feels he has not been treated well. Our best wishes are with him and his family.”
