Union says Wales faces 'perfect storm' in recruiting and retaining teachers
A poll from NASUWT has given a snapshot of teachers views of the profession
Teaching union NASUWT says the recruitment and retention crisis in Wales can't be ignored as a poll finds nearly three quarters of those surveyed have seriously considered leaving the profession in the last 12 months.
83 per cent said teaching wasn't competitive with salaries compared to other occupations while 78 percent said they wouldn't recommend it to their friends of family as a career.
The NASUWT has committed to lobbying the Welsh Government to tackle the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “Teachers’ pay in Wales is languishing well below inflation, yet workloads and job pressures continue to surge.
“The insidious expectation that teachers should ‘work more, but for less’ is squeezing highly qualified educators out of their profession, whilst simultaneously putting off the candidates we need from ever applying. It’s a perfect storm, and make no mistake, that storm is well underway in schools across Wales.
“To prevent lasting damage to our education system, the Welsh Government must act fast to recruit and retain teachers.
“NASUWT members need an end to pay erosion, excessive workloads, poor pupil behaviour and unacceptable and experimental initiatives.
“Teachers and their pupils are depending on the Welsh Government to rise to the challenge at this critical juncture for education.”
Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official Wales, said: “Pupils are being failed by the Welsh Government’s failure to recruit and retain the talented teachers our education system needs.
“Uncompetitive pay, unsustainable workloads and an under-resourced education system are driving up vacancies.
“Too many teachers are forced to leave the profession prematurely, increasingly within the first few years of qualifying.
"Fewer and fewer graduates now view teaching as a secure life-long vocation and instead are opting for careers in other sectors that they can rely on to provide good pay and conditions.
“The NASUWT will not shy away in lobbying the Government to; once again, make teaching an attractive and valued profession.”