 Many teachers struggle to cope with stress |
A teaching union has called for research to be carried out into how much stress is suffered by primary school teachers. The NASUWT union said the Scottish Executive should investigate the issue as a matter of urgency.
A recent study by Edinburgh University found that a third of secondary school teachers were so stressed that they needed psychological counselling.
A motion calling for the research was carried at the union's AGM in Dundee.
It had been put forward by the Clackmannanshire branch of the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.)
 |  It is to be expected that teachers working in the primary sector will be experiencing at least equivalent, if not greater, stress levels compared with colleagues in secondary |
Clackmannanshire branch secretary Roy Robertson said he believed primary school teachers could suffer even more stress than their secondary colleagues.
He added: "The stress levels of primary teachers in Scotland have as yet been largely overlooked.
"It is to be expected that teachers working in the primary sector will be experiencing at least equivalent, if not greater, stress levels compared with colleagues in secondary.
"NASWUT calls on the Scottish Executive to urgently examine levels of stress in the primary sector.
"It is critical that we find out the full extent of the problem as all teachers should be able to enjoy a safe, supportive and stress-free work environment."
A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said she was not aware of any plans for such a survey, but that it could be considered by the incoming administration.
The spokeswoman added: "Teacher stress is something that we take seriously. The local authority, as the employer, is responsible for the health and safety of staff."
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