Many SA teachers regret their career
High levels of stress
One in five teachers in SA regrets being in the profession.
This is one of the key findings of a global study involving 260,000 teachers from 15,000 schools in 48 countries, which explored the broad theme of teachers and school leaders as valued professionals ”.
Locally, 2,046 lower secondary teachers and 169 principals completed the Teacher and Learning International Survey (Talis) by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
According to the study, teachers in SA have comparatively lower levels of job satisfaction compared to the other participating countries.
While 18% of SA teachers regretted becoming educators, the OECD average was 9%.
In South Africa, a higher share of teachers working in publicly managed schools [53%] than in privately managed schools [34%] wonder whether it would have been better to choose another profession. ”
At least 33% of SA principals also expressed doubts over whether they chose the right profession, compared with the 20% average.
The report, which is being released by the department of basic education on October 30, indicated that 30% of local teachers would like to leave teaching within the next five years. Interestingly, the study found that SA was one of the countries “with the highest share of teachers ” who felt their profession was valued in society after 61% endorsed this view compared with the 26% average.
In Limpopo, more than 75% of participating teachers considered their profession valued by society and the community they serve.”
More than 60% of teachers in the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and North West also considered their profession valued.
In contrast, in Gauteng and the Western Cape, the value of the profession in society is lower for teachers.”
One in five teachers from the OECD countries reported experiencing high stress levels compared with one in four teachers from SA.
The most prevalent sources of stress teachers experience locally are being held responsible for pupils ’ achievements, and having toomany marking and administrative tasks.
High stress and administrative overload may threaten the attractiveness of the teaching profession.”
Responding to the study s findings, Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), said he was not sure that teachers experienced the feeling that the profession is becoming more respected in society. Commenting on those who regret becoming teachers, he said that the past few years had shown that “people have been hammering to get into the profession ”.
They may regret becoming teachers but that doesn ’ t mean they are going to be leaving.”
Manuel expressed scepticism over the finding that almost 80% of SA teachers and 90% of principals are satisfied with their job.
It ’ s a funny statistic given that one in five teachers locally regret becoming teachers and 30% want to leave within the next five years. But I can tell you that many, many people are satisfied with their job.”
He said that while teachers may be unhappy with certain aspects of the job, “this doesn t make them unhappy teachers ”.