As a teacher currently on a fixed term contract, I am worrying almost every day about my life, the stresses of having my own house and what I’d do if the council cancels my contract when I’m no longer needed. I cannot drop a wage when owning a home. My life feels like it is currently on hold until I am able to have the security of a permanent job.
I still live with my parents and I am too worried to buy a house in case I can’t keep up with mortgage payments. I want to have children and with the uncertainty of a job, how can I know I will be able to support a family?
I want to work. I want to do well to teach our children and young people. But I also want to live without the constant worry and roadblocks.
This is answer 6 of the 269 written answers that teachers let us quote anonymously in the Scottish Teacher Employment Survey 2026. It answers the survey’s last question: what do the people who make decisions about teacher employment need to know?
We have corrected spelling, added paragraph breaks and removed details that could identify anyone. Words in square brackets are ours.