STRESSED-out lecturers are so sick of work that they are considering quitting their profession, according to a survey.

The National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, NATFHE, says its members are becoming increasingly demoralised with the job.

The survey of 1,000 NATFHE members has been backed by college staff in East Lancashire, who recently took part in a one-day strike over pay and conditions.

NATFHE members at Blackburn College say their workload has rocketed by 13 per cent since they signed new contracts. They also say there has been an increase in stress-related illness among staff.

At Nelson and Colne College, the NATFHE says staff face similar problems and are unhappy at a proposed 2.4 per cent pay rise. The new survey of members reveals;

35 per cent of lecturers are actively seeking work outside the profession.

38 per cent reported suffering from depression.

65 per cent said they felt under 'considerable strain.'

Nine per cent said they had turned to booze to help cope with stress.

Dissatisfaction with rates of pay and excessive workloads were singled out as the major causes of stress.

Almost three in four lecturers said they regularly took work home at weekends and 22 per cent said they worked more than 50 hours a week.

NATFHE head of policy Derek Betts, said: "It is untenable to expect the delivery of a high quality post-school education when staff are working under such severe strain to the detriment of their health.

"With the growth in student numbers, qualifications and curricula, more resources are urgently needed to support hard-pressed staff.

"In the meantime, stressed staff should be offered support and counselling as well as the option of early retirement."

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