Teachers drinking more, says survey

Tuesday, 2 September 2003 12:00 AM

New figures show that increasing numbers of teachers are turning to drink in order to help them cope with the stresses of the classroom.

In a survey sent out to 2000 teachers in North Wales, 10% of the 600 respondents stated that they were taking anti- depressants, and 30% said that they had noted an increase in their own consumption of alcohol.

Fatigue and stress due to a heavy workload were cited by a large proportion of the survey's respondents, with many complaining of an increase in blood pressure, headaches and muscular aches as physical effects of stress in their workplace.

In an effort to cut teacher workload, the Government this week has implemented new rules that support staff should take over administrative and clerical tasks, so freeing up more time for teachers to spend with their pupils.

Under the new guidelines, teachers will no longer undertake tasks such as investigating that absence of pupils, record keeping or the putting up of classroom displays.

Although most teacher unions have signed up to the process, the NUT, the biggest of the unions, has not done so. They are understood to be concerned that the increased role of classroom assistants under the Governments' plans will lead to unqualified personnel taking charge of classes.

Tags: