A third of teachers plan to quit, says NEU

Workload and diminishing respect for profession are main reasons why 35% of teachers wish to leave within five years

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on The Guardian

One-in-three teachers plan to quit the classroom within five years because of increased workload and diminishing respect for the profession, according to a major union survey. The poll by the National Education Union (NEU) revealed an education workforce exhausted after a year of COVID disruption, with 70% reporting increased workload over the last 12 months and 95% worried about the impact on their wellbeing. Out of a poll of 10,000 members, 35% said they would ‘definitely’ not be working in education by 2026, while two-thirds (66%) said the status of the profession has got worse, and blamed government for failing to listen to, or value, teachers. As one respondent put it, “The pandemic has highlighted a high expectation on teachers whilst a total lack of respect from government.”

Among those who said they intended to leave education, the most common reason given was that the profession was not valued or trusted by government or media (53%), closely followed by workload (51%), accountability (34%) and pay (24%).

Kevin Courtney, the NEU joint general secretary, said it should come as no surprise that so many teachers are thinking of leaving the profession. “These findings come after a year in which the education profession – as key workers – have been provided few safety protections, had to improvise solutions where government had simply left a void, and were met with a pay freeze for their troubles,” he said.

“To create an environment in which so many are overworked and looking for an exit, it is a scandal that so little effort has been made by government to value the profession. Instead, they feel insulted, and for many there comes a point where enough is enough.”

Work-life balance now worse

The survey also found that more than half (55%) believe their work-life balance is now worse than before the first lockdown. Lockdown has, however, had a positive impact on staff relationships with their pupils’ families, with 30% reporting improved contacts with parents, many of whom have been intimately involved with their child’s education this year, home-schooling while schools have been closed to all but vulnerable pupils and children of key workers.

The survey was published to coincide with the NEU’s annual conference – held virtually this year due to the pandemic. Amid anger over the government’s pay freeze for public sector workers, the NEU called for a seven per cent pay rise for teachers this year, and agreed to survey members to build towards a ballot for national strikes if ministers fail to meet their pay demands.

“It is a slap in the face for us all,” said Christopher Denson, from Coventry, addressing the conference. “This is our chance to set the tone in the battle against underfunded schools, underpaid educators, and an undervalued education system.”

Addressing the NEU’s findings on teacher retention and wellbeing, a Department for Education spokesperson said, “We have taken a wide range of actions to address teacher workload and wellbeing, and invested millions in mental health charities to support teachers.

“We are also improving support and professional development for teachers at all stages of their career. This includes providing additional support for teachers who are at their least experienced and at most risk of leaving the profession, through our Early Career Framework reforms.”