MSP raises concerns over rise in North East teachers retiring early
North East MSP Liam Kerr has blamed high workloads and rising levels of classroom violence.
The number of teachers in the North East taking early retirement has risen by 200% in recent years, according to new figures.
The stats obtained by Liam Kerr MSP show the number of teaching staff in the region accessing their pensions prior to normal pension age has soared in the last four years.
In 2019, across Aberdeenshire, 44 members of the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (STSS) and Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme 2015 (STPS 2015) "opted to retire" before normal pension age - rising to 88 in 2023.
A similar situation in Aberdeen City shows 15 from both schemes opted to retire early, which increased to 44 in 2023.
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary and North East MSP Liam Kerr says he is "alarmed" by the figures and has blamed high workloads and rising levels of classroom violence.
Mr Kerr said: “These alarming figures lay bare the intolerable pressures that exhausted teachers are facing as they battle to contend with high workloads and rising levels of violence.
“They are the backbone of Scotland’s education system but far too many hardworking teachers seem to be at breaking point and many clearly feel they have been left with no option but to retire early to safeguard their own health."