A west Belfast primary school teacher has described the “burnout, stress and anxiety” experienced by many in the workforce as they struggle to cope with increasing workloads.
It comes as Northern Ireland’s five teaching unions voted for industrial action if their grievances concerning workload were not addressed.
Education Minister Paul Givan said he was “fully committed” to reducing teacher and headteacher workload and that he hoped further negotiations would help avert action.
John Kerr, head of key stage one at St Paul’s Primary School, said between additional administration and pastoral care, he routinely worked over his contracted hours.
“It’s one of the only professions that I can think of where essentially you’re being told would you like to come in and work on Saturday for free, or during the evenings, or essentially doing overtime for free,” he told BBC News NI.
The primary three and primary four teacher, who is now 15 years into his career, said the demands have increased year-on-year.
He said he recognised there may be little sympathy for teachers given the long holidays they have over summer, but that those breaks were necessary for recovery.
“When you get to the end of the year, the exhaustion and physical and mental health issues that a lot of teachers will experience, it takes until maybe July before you can feel like your normal self again and that’s without exaggerating.
“The burnout and stress and anxiety that can come with the role is massive.”