At least 1400 teachers in Scotland were absent due to stress last year according to figures published by the Liberal Democrats, including 62 in Angus and 60 in Dundee.
A freedom of information request by the party has revealed that in some areas one out of every 15 teachers took time off for stress.
A Health and Safety Executive survey published last year found that teaching was the UK’s most stressful occupation.
The National Union of Teachers says that half of all teachers have considered leaving the profession due to stress.
Lib Dem education spokeswoman Margaret Smith said, “This year, teachers are implementing a brand new curriculum with a lamentable lack of support from the government.
“Given that previous studies cite a lack of support as a core reason for teacher stress, this year’s figures can only get worse. Audit Scotland has warned that sickness absence is a significant cost to local authorities.”
She added, “So tackling teacher stress won’t just make the classroom a happier and more productive place, it will also save councils money at a time when budgets are tight.
“So this is clearly a crucial spend-to-save issue for Scotland’s councils and one that we hope they’ll address.”
The figures show that West Lothian and Falkirk were the most stressful education authorities, with 118 and 104 teachers taking time off for mental wellbeing and behavioural issues respectively.
The least stressful authorities were North Lanarkshire and Perth and Kinross, who had just 22 teachers off with stress between them, accounting for around 0.5% of their teacher rolls.Absence rates ‘of concern’Angus had 62 teachers (5.1%) off with stress, Dundee 60 teachers (4%) and Fife 71 teachers (1.9%).
Angus education convener Peter Nield said he was unable to comment on the figures because he did not know how they had been gathered and what they involved.
Dundee education convener Elizabeth Fordyce said she would discuss the matter with director of education James Collins before commenting.
Dundee Lib Dem councillor Fraser Macpherson said he is asking Mr Collins what steps he will take to help reduce the high teacher absence level caused by stress, what procedures are in place to help teachers in stressful situations and what support the council makes available.
He said, “The 4% absence rate of teachers in Dundee due to stress last year is of concern Dundee’s absence rate is significantly higher than Aberdeen’s (1.6%) and Edinburgh’s (2.6%).
“I have asked the director of education what steps are in place to help teachers in stressful situations, and what further can be done to reduce Dundee’s absences rate.”
Education secretary Michael Russell said, “There is simply no evidence to suggest the implementation of the new curriculum is causing stress among teachers.
“In fact schools, local authorities and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education tell us that teachers are embracing the changes with enthusiasm, helped by the range of support measures put in place by the Scottish Government.”
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user cliff1066.