ASTI/RED C research shows that additional demands on second-level schools have led to an unsustainable work burden and increased levels of stress for teachers.
In a 2026 ASTI/ RED C survey teachers report a growing mismatch between curriculum expectations and the time and resources available to deliver them.
A total of 69% of teachers reported that they have considered leaving the profession. Unsustainable workload was the main reason given by survey respondents.
The cumulative impact of reform, workload and assessment changes is placing both teacher wellbeing and student wellbeing under increasing strain.
Other recent ASTI research re-emphasises the challenge of teacher workload.
Over a third (34%) of classroom teachers rate their wellbeing as poor, according to a 2022 RED C/ASTI survey. Less than a third (28%) rate their wellbeing as good or very good. Teachers surveyed say workload and work intensity are the main factors impacting their wellbeing. Alarmingly, job satisfaction amongst teachers has dropped from 63 per cent in 2021 to 50 per cent in 2022. Click here for survey.