Stress is still a really big problem for children in Wales despite the scrapping of tests, according to Dr Philip Dixon, director of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers Cymru. Dr Dixon was responding to surveys launched by the teaching union during its national conference in Torquay this week.
Cases of stress, associated self-harming, anorexia, aggression and bullying were all found to be on the rise, with 73 per cent of teachers questioned saying they believe children are under more pressure than 10 years ago.
Elsewhere, grotty toilets and grim buildings were also highlighted as a major gripe of teachers in Wales. A third of teachers nationally complained about poor toilets for pupils in a separate survey. “The state of many school buildings in Wales is nothing short of a national scandal,” said Dr Dixon.
