The pandemic has hit us relatively high with everything. Almost 9 out of every ten teachers of Scotland claimed about their increased workload. According to the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) report revealed it is evident that teachers are getting a hard time throughout the pandemic.
The teaching union conducted a survey that found that 61 percent reported a significant increase in workload during the coronavirus crisis. Most of the teachers stated that the extra work they do with remote working and combining the learning process is a considerable amount of work.
The survey was done with more than 16,000 teachers, conducted by EIS in November, found that 88 percent of teachers said their workload had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, they have mentioned that meeting pupils’ needs for additional support, including mental health support, had also increased their burden in the past 12 months in a significant amount.
Ninety-three percent of them reported working more than their contracted hours each week, with almost half of full-time staff saying that they did more than eight extra hours.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said, ‘Teachers have continued to face a rising tide of workload throughout the pandemic, for a wide range of reasons.
‘Changes brought about in response to the pandemic have impacted teacher workload, with additional tasks requiring to be undertaken daily to help keep classrooms safe.
‘Teachers are also reporting a significant amount of time dealing with pupil behavior as many young people continue the struggle to overcome the negative impact of the pandemic on their lives.’
Regarding the secondary school teachers, EIS members reported that the Alternative Certification Model brought because of exams cancellation due to the pandemic had added more workload than an average year.
Mr. Flanagan said, ‘Meaningful reform of the examinations system is now required to ease the workload burden of teachers and students alike.’
A Scottish government spokesman thanked teachers for their hard work. He suggested that ministers are committed to reducing teachers’ contact time, providing support, and increasing teacher numbers to minimize their workload and help them sustain the education system.
Scottish Labor education spokesman Michael Marra called for a pay rise for teaching staff. He said, ‘Scotland’s teachers have bailed out the disastrous decision-making of Scottish government education ministers time and again throughout the pandemic.
‘They have gone above and beyond their contracts month after month. They are exhausted. Ministers must urgently recognize the scale of the challenge ahead of our teachers.’