Teachers took nearly 20,000 days off in three years in Dundee due to mental-health issues, a shock FOI investigation has revealed.

The absences cost the city council more than £600k in sick leave during that period.

It is understood most teachers who took time off were suffering from varying levels of stress.

The figures show an “increase in demand” on those who work in the education sector, especially during the pandemic that produced its own specific challenges.

Scottish Conservative North East MSP Maurice Golden conducted the Freedom of Information investigation.

Speaking exclusively to Dundee Live, he said: “There aren’t many more vital jobs in our society than teaching.

“Both the council and the SNP government need to get their heads together and work out a way to make teaching a more enjoyable and attractive profession and reducing the alarming rate of mental ill health.”

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