Midlothian teachers return to find school supplies dumped in skip

Teachers had returned to work on Monday for staff development days to prepare for the return of pupils on Wednesday.

Some staff were forced to go through skips to recover discarded items.

One teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, said she had lost teaching materials and gifts from pupils that were irreplaceable.

She said: “There were materials I’d built up after years of teaching.

“It’s hard enough getting ready for the kids coming back. I wish I knew it was happening and I would have removed things.

“I know it was an accident and I hope it gets sorted.”

The EIS union said teachers were “distraught” to see their classrooms emptied.

An spokesperson said: “The EIS has been assured that the local authority is collaborating with the contractor to resolve the issue promptly.

“Our schools are already under-resourced and staff workload is extremely high, so the parties responsible must take remedial action as a matter of urgency.”