Teachers falling ill for longer

Teachers' unions say stress plays a large part

More than half the teachers in England took sick leave last year - many for more than 20 days.

On average those who went sick were off work for 10 days during the year - one day more than in 1999.

Latest official figures show that an estimated 275,600 full-time or part-time teachers had some sick leave in 2000, about 56% of the total - 60% of those in full-time posts and 38% of part-timers.

The total days lost to sick leave amounted to 2.5 million in 1999 and 2.66 million in 2000.

The highest percentage of teachers who took sickness absence was in the South West government region (69%) followed by East of England (68%), London (64%) and the West Midlands (62%).

'Not surprised'

Those absent for five days or fewer amounted to 37% of the total, while 19% were away for between six and 20 days and 45% for more than 20 days.

The general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, Nigel de Gruchy, said: "What else would you expect? I am surprised the increase is not higher.

"The relentless pressure applied upon teachers from many quarters, including the government and Ofsted, with very little additional support, is bound to produce figures like this.

"So long as the government remains reticent in seriously tackling the twin issues of excessive workload and pupil indiscipline then the figures can only get worse."

Doug McAvoy of the National Union of Teachers said: "Teachers are vulnerable to illness brought into school, but the tiredness they feel from over-work makes them more prone to sickness.

"There has also been a probable increase in stress-related illness because of that workload and the continuing and growing demands placed upon them.

"Government targets for reducing illness are blowing in the wind - it would be far better to reduce the constant stream of initiatives to cut the pressure."

Workload talks

Teachers' unions in England and Wales are in talks with the government and local authority employers about ways to reduce the workload.

Proposals are expected to be put to the review body which advises ministers in time for the 2002 pay round.

The Liberal Democrats' education spokesman, Phil Willis, said: "These figures show the strain that Labour has put the teaching profession under which no amount of political spin can hide.

"Not only are we seeing the worst teacher shortages for a decade but we are losing millions of teacher hours as a result of long-term sickness.

"Our teachers need support not sick-notes if pupils are to get the most of their time in the classroom."

The Department for Education said: "The average of five days' absence is the same as last year.

"Earlier this year, we developed guidance with head teachers to help schools to do more on occupational health issues in order to reduce sickness absence levels.

"It is something we are concerned about and something we want to reduce."