NEARLY nine in 10 teachers say that their workload has increased during the pandemic, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) revealed today.

A survey by the teaching union found that 61 per cent reported a significant increase in workload during the coronavirus crisis, with many members highlighting that the move to remote or blended learning had added a considerable amount of work.

More than six in 10 said that meeting pupils’ needs for additional support, including mental health support, had greatly added to their burden in the past 12 months.

The online survey of more than 16,000 teachers, conducted by EIS in November, found that 88 per cent said that their workload had increased during the pandemic.

Ninety-three per cent reported working more than their contracted hours each week, with almost half of full-time staff saying that they did more than eight extra hours.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Teachers have continued to face a rising tide of workload throughout the pandemic, for a wide range of reasons.

“Clearly, changes brought about in response to the pandemic have had an impact on teacher workload, with additional tasks requiring to be undertaken on a daily basis to help keep classrooms safe.

“Teachers are also reporting a significant amount of time dealing with pupil behaviour as many young people continue the struggle to overcome the negative impact of the pandemic on their lives.”

Among secondary school teachers, EIS members reported that the Alternative Certification Model – brought in when exams were cancelled due to the pandemic – had significantly increased their workload in comparison with a normal year.

More than nine in 10 respondents noted a rise in their workload, with 80 per cent describing the increase as significant.

Mr Flanagan said: “Meaningful reform of the examinations system is now required to ease the workload burden of teachers and students alike.”

A Scottish government spokesman thanked teachers for their work, adding that ministers are committed to reducing teachers’ contact time, providing support and increasing teacher numbers.

Scottish Labour education spokesman Michael Marra called for a pay rise for teaching staff, saying: “Scotland’s teachers have bailed out the disastrous decision-making of Scottish government education ministers time and again throughout the pandemic.

“They have gone above and beyond their contracts month after month. They are exhausted.

“The scale of the challenge ahead of our teachers must urgently be recognised by ministers.”