Scottish teachers are vowing to fight plans to increase their retirement age.
The government is proposing to raise the pension age for teachers from 60 to 65.
But teaching unions warn that could put off new recruits and lead to falling standards in the classroom.
At the moment, the normal retirement age for teachers is 60.
But with an ageing population and increased life expectancy, the government says that should rise to 65.
Kate McKee, who retired as a teacher before the summer, said that by the time many teachers reached their 50s or 60s, they had had enough.
"I have seen my colleagues suffering from stress, burn out and depression and it is mainly because of the stresses and strains of the job.
"Teaching is definitely a young person's job," she said.
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) said many of its members already suffered stress and burn-out in their mid-50s because of the pressure of the job.
"
You need people who are fit, active, enthusiastic and competent to be able to teach efficiently
"
Mike Finlayson
Teacher Support Scotland
An extra five years in the classroom could put off many young people thinking about a career in teaching, the union warned.
The plans, which have been drawn up by the Department for Work and Pensions, will "initially" apply only to new teachers.
Jim Docherty, from the SSTA, said: "That word 'initially' is being looked at very, very carefully. We have to assume that this will apply eventually to existing employees.
"It is quite clear that within the Scottish secondary sector that recruitment is going to be difficult enough within the next few years - this is the nail in the coffin for a very large number of potential entrants.
Consultation stage
"People are not going to come in if they believe they can only collect their pension at the age of 65."
The Scottish Executive said it does not foresee any recruitment problems if the age is increased.
It will be several years before the plans, which are still at the consultation stage, are put into practice.
The McCrone Report, which looked at pay and conditions for the profession, recognised that many teachers are burned out by the time they reach their mid-50s.
Among the changes which followed the report was one which allows teachers to wind down to retirement earlier, starting at the age of 55.
"
All the government is doing is finding a short term solution to a long term problem
"
Fiona Hyslop
SNP education spokesperson
Mike Finlayson, chief executive of Teacher Support Scotland, said: "I think it is about maintaining standards, you need people who are fit, active, enthusiastic and competent to be able to teach efficiently and if there is any decline because of ill health or being in a pressurised environment for a long time, then that will affect the education experience of young people."
Scottish National Party education spokesperson Fiona Hyslop has attacked the proposals.
"All the government is doing is finding a short term solution to a long term problem.
"The Scottish Executive made a great fuss about implementing the McCrone agreement but the actual report recommended the retirement age for teachers should be lowered."
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