BBCEducation correspondent, BBC Scotland
Stuart Youens says that when he became a secondary school teacher 20 years ago he loved the job.
But gradually the effect of budget cuts, the reduction in classroom assistants, the increase in additional support needs, and a rise in bureaucracy took its toll.
Two years ago he chose to leave the profession and become a lorry driver – and says he’s a lot happier in his new job.
Figures seen by BBC Scotland News suggest that the number of days teachers have been absent because of stress has risen dramatically in the past six years.
Unions and education experts say many teachers are leaving altogether as a result.
The Scottish government says it is taking action to make sure school staff can access the necessary support.
Stuart Youens, 47, from central Scotland, says he taught in a good school but had started feeling dread at the thought of going in to work. He added he needed…
