UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA warns of unsustainable pressures on schools after a report shows 91% of Northern Ireland teachers suffer moderate to high burnout and 46% are considering leaving the profession.

Responding to the findings, the Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson said the profession is being stretched by rising workloads, insufficient support and administrative demands. He called for better pay and professional accreditation for classroom assistants, more training and resources for work with pupils who have additional needs, and a streamlined flow of information from the Education Authority. Jon Burrows MLA said: "These figures are deeply troubling but, sadly, not surprising having engaged with many teachers up and down the country. Teachers and classroom assistants are being asked to do more with less, and the stress and burnout levels are significant. We have the best teachers we could ask for, but they need better support, and classroom assistants in particular deserve better pay and professional accreditation. Many teachers and classroom assistants increasingly work with children with additional needs and it is important for both the pupil and teaching staff that there is the corresponding increase in training and resources.

"The pace of change and the sheer volume of consultations landing on schools is dizzying. Change is necessary, but it must be implemented with sufficient time for proper consultation and adjustment. I have already raised in committee the issue of the Education Authority sending masses of information to principals every week, and I am writing to the EA again to press for this to be properly streamlined.

"These pressures are further compounded by insufficient substitute teacher availability and ongoing problems with the NISTR IT system for accessing cover staff. We cannot have a serious conversation about tackling burnout without addressing the bureaucratic burdens and broken infrastructure that are making an already difficult job unsustainable."