SSTA SURVEY ILLUSTRATES WORKLOAD

CONTINUES TO INCREASE FOR TEACHERS

"Two thirds of members reported that over the last year their overall workload had increased and over 60% believed that the introduction of the 35 hour week had not changed their workload, whilst 37% believed that it had actually increased workload", said David Eaglesham, General Secretary.

"91% felt that no tasks had been removed from them, and 54% reported that their workload had risen beyond the 42 hour level reported in April 2000. Taken together, these figures clearly show that far from reducing or limiting the workload of teachers, the Agreement reached in 2001 may actually have led to an increase in workload for all teachers."

The McCrone Agreement, which was agreed by 80% of Scottish teachers in early 2001, provided for a 35 hour working week within which would be contained all the duties required of teachers.

"Teachers have always worked well beyond the formal requirements of their job for the benefit of young people and it is clear that this remains the case. There is an urgent need for more support for teachers to allow them to be able to use their professional skill more effectively rather than being tied up in red tape."

"This survey fully refutes the ill-founded suggestions made in some quarters that teachers are not fulfilling their side of the McCrone Agreement. It is abundantly clear that teachers are still continuing to deliver up to and even above the requirements of their job."

Full details of the survey are appended. (Adobe Acrobat is required to open survey findings)

Further information from

DAVID EAGLESHAM
General Secretary

The survey sample was 996 randomly selected teachers in Secondary schools across Scotland. It was weighted to reflect geographical distribution and level of post held. The survey took place between 31 May and 12 June 2002.