Over 100 teachers write to Scottish Government with concerns

More than 100 teachers have written to the Scottish Government in the month since Forth News highlighted the work load worries of an anonymous teacher.

The teacher wrote to our newsroom with concerns but a fear to speak out.

The issue went to Holyrood and the First Minister said they were "free to contact her" with their thoughts.

Now, a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Tories has revealed that 120 teachers have taken up that offer.

Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "The fact so many have taken up the First Minister's offer shows the strength of feeling among teachers right across Scotland.

"These are professionals who have taken time out of their day to express serious concerns about the state of education.''

She made the comments after Education Secretary John Swinney confirmed: "The Scottish Government has received a total of 120 letters from teachers in response to the First Minister's offer.''

He said it was "not possible to provide a breakdown'' on how many were from primary or secondary schools, as "most of the teachers have not identified which sector they work in''.

The letters were sent after the First Minister, speaking in the Scottish Parliament, made clear that "teachers should be free to contact me as First Minister, the Deputy First Minister as Education Secretary, or any member of my government''.

Ms Sturgeon said at the time: "Let me be clear to teachers that they can come and raise anything they want with the Government.''

The First Minister has repeatedly insisted that education is her government's number one priority, appealing to voters to judge her on the success of efforts to close the attainment gap in in Scotland's schools.