Excessive workload and unnecessary red tape are harming teachers’ health, a union leader has claimed.
Angus teacher Phil Jackson, outgoing president of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), told 350 delegates at its annual general meeting in Perth that he was worried about the impact on its members and on schools.
He challenged the Scottish Government, local authorities and national education bodies to reduce the burden.
Mr Jackson said: “Excessive workload and bureaucracy have plagued our profession for decades.
“Research has been commissioned and, when the working group on tackling bureaucracy reconvenes in the autumn, we need to see some tangible progress and need to be sure that all partners who signed up have played their part.
“If not we need to be prepared to take further action.”
Several motions to be debated at the meeting threaten potential industrial action if teachers’ concerns are not addressed.
Pay and conditions, pension changes and education funding are also on the agenda.
During his speech Mr Jackson criticised the support provided for Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and its related assessments and qualifications, such as the new national exams sat for the first time by pupils this year.
He said: “In between nursery and young adulthood how are the principles of CfE going to be reconciled with an examination system that hasn’t really changed that much?”