Catholic School Teachers 'More Stressed', Says INTO

A leading NI teachers' union has revealed that stress levels for teachers in the Catholic maintained sector are now severe.

Things are said to be so bad in local schools that a total of 75 teachers, principals and vice principals in Catholic schools were referred to psychiatric health experts because of concerns about their attendance.

The teachers and principals are being sent to psychiatrists because they are missing too many school days and the employers are spending thousands of pounds in trying to understand why some staff are suffering stress-related illnesses.

The figures were revealed by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) at its recent conference in Newcastle, Co Down and referred to the last two academic years alone,

The union said that In 2006/07 and 2007/08 there were 75 psychiatric and 170 occupational health referrals made on behalf of teachers in Catholic primary and secondary schools, at a total cost of more than £70,000.

However, by contrast, figures for the controlled (mostly Protestant) sector are much lower.

Belfast Education Board area showed there were 53 occupational health referrals and just one teacher was asked to see a psychiatrist.

The Western Education Board made nine psychiatric referrals, the South Eastern Board just one, and the Southern and North Eastern Boards each made two apiece.

INTO is therefore extremely concerned at the levels of such referrals within the Catholic sector compared to the education and library boards.

(BMcC/JM)