Emergency measures needed to stop teachers quitting, say Lib Dems
A survey by the party suggested almost half of teachers reported considering quitting the classroom in the next five years.
The Liberal Democrats have called for emergency measures to combat teachers quitting their jobs, as new term preparations loom. According to a recent survey, nearly half of the English teachers questioned said they plan to leave the profession within the next five years, citing overwork and stress as the primary reasons. The party is urging Education Secretary Lucy Powell to fully fund teachers' pay instead of reducing school budgets to cover the increases and to set limits on overtime.
The Department for Education acknowledged the recent decline in teachers leaving the profession but noted the need for more action. The survey involved over 900 teachers, headteachers, and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) from across England. More than three-quarters of respondents reported feeling burnt out frequently or constantly, with many pointing to high workloads on marking, lesson preparation, and other tasks.
The Liberal Democrats' schools spokesperson, Caroline Voaden, criticized the government for not listening to the teaching profession, stating that fully funding teacher pay and introducing flexible working policies are crucial steps to retain educators. The National Education Union and the Association of School and College Leaders also contributed to the survey, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
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