There were 106 teachers in the East Riding on long-term stress leave in 2016/17, up 39% on the previous year, Liberal Democrat research has revealed.
The number of local teachers on long term stress leave has become a serious issue.
The Liberal Democrats have said the figures “laid bare the impossible pressures teachers are under” and warned that stress caused by an obsession with exam results is fuelling the teacher recruitment crisis.
In total 5156 days have been taken off by local teachers in the East Riding for stress and mental health reasons in 2016/17, an increase of 33% over the previous year.
The figures are based on responses to Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats.
Cllr Denis Healy commented:
“These figures lay bare the impossible pressures our teachers are being put under.
“It is simply unacceptable that those working tirelessly to do the best for local children are seeing their mental ill-health affected as a result.
“This must be wake-up call to East Riding Councillors.
“Stress and anxiety are fuelling the teacher recruitment and retention crisis, but the government’s current approach is making matters worse.
“East Riding of Yorkshire Council must work to end the real-term cuts to pay for teachers that are leaving them feeling overworked and undervalued.”
“This needs to be a really important issue for us in the East Riding, and I will be raising this as a motion for discussion at the Full Council meeting next Wednesday.
“I want the Council to show our teachers how much we value what they do, and raise our concerns about the pressures they are under with the Secretary of State.”
