Most Welsh teachers 'considered quitting'

Bad pupil behaviour 'causes many teachers stress'

Discipline problems and poor pupil behaviour are driving teachers in Wales out of the profession, according to a survey.

The NASUWT Cymru has conducted the biggest ever survey of teachers in Wales, and concludes that more than 80% have considered leaving their jobs because of the daily pressures they face.

The union represents more than half the 29,000 teachers in Wales but the poll reveals only 26.3% believe that the assembly is doing a good job for education in Wales.

Assembly Minister for Education, Jane Davidson, has said although the report highlights teachers' concerns, she is generally happy with NASUWT members' confidence in the assembly.

Teachers throughout Wales are working under extreme pressures

Geraint Davies
NASUWT Cymru

The survey results are to be revealed in full to the union's annual conference being held in Cardiff on Wednesday.

It reports that nearly all teachers - 98.55% - work during weekends, and around 50% of teachers devote more than five hours to school work over the weekend. That is the equivalent of working a six-day week.

'Not new'

More than nine in ten - 93% - believe that pupil discipline has deteriorated over the last few years, and more than three-quarters, 78.3%, have been verbally abused by a pupil.

Discipline and poor pupil behaviour is seen as the factor which has most affected teacher morale, and causes stress for 87.2% of the respondents.

Survey results

50% work more than 50 hrs per week

94% work during holidays

78% believe morale low/very low

87.2% suffer stress

59.4% say job affects health

82.8% would consider leaving

Four in five of those questioned, 82.8%, said they would consider leaving the profession.

Geraint Davies of NASUWT Cymru said: "The results of the survey make depressing reading and are a poor indictment of the current education system.

"Unfortunately what is coming through is not new.

"It is a simple but stark message that teachers throughout Wales are working under extreme pressures. It is a situation that can no longer be tolerated."