Scottish school classrooms have been likened to “pressure cookers”, with teachers facing a growing list of challenges.

The Scottish government has been urged to relieve the pressure on teachers by revealing deadlines for it fulfilling key education pledges.

In a Labour-led parliamentary debate, party education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said teachers were “at the end of their tether” and that there had been a deterioration in both pupil behaviour and – as shown by the recent Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) results – education standards.

During yesterday’s debate, Ms Duncan-Glancy put forward a motion calling on the government to publish a timetable for fulfilling its education promises, such as “addressing the continued use of temporary teacher contracts improving workloads by increasing non-contact time for teachers; addressing the gaps in teacher provision in geographical and subject areas; delivering structural reforms, including to the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland and meeting its commitment to offer free breakfasts in primary and special schools”.

She said: “Since I became Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on education [in April 2023], I have found that, no matter what stone I turn over or what corner I look around, there are deep and wide-ranging challenges, despite the best efforts of our outstanding teachers, the hard work of our pupils and the tenacity of our parents.”

She highlighted a quote from one teacher in the May 2023 National Discussion report on education, who said: “In my class of 30, four have ASD…three have longstanding…anxiety difficulties…one has been adopted, one is experiencing a form of trauma, one is a young carer, two others have severe learning difficulties.”

The teacher added that “I know exactly what support each child needs but can’t split myself 30 ways”.

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