Ei-iE

In the current political and economic climate, the teaching profession is coming under new and ever-increasing pressures. A recent survey commissioned by one of EI’s affiliates in UK, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), showed teachers’ morale had worsened over the last two years.

The NUT commissioned the polling company YouGov to survey a representative sample of teachers in England and Wales last March. The results were released at the NUT National Conference held in Torquay from 6-10 April.

The survey aimed at identifying the things teachers value about their jobs most and those disheartening them as professionals.

Declining morale

When asked whether their morale had improved, declined or stayed the same over the past two years, 59% of teachers answered that it had declined, and only 9% said morale had improved.

“In my opinion, morale is low,” said one of the teachers interviewed. “One of the main reasons is that, at a time when every child is supposed to matter, this is clearly not the case. Teachers feel they need to concentrate only on those children likely to achieve higher grade passes.”

Obstacles to performance

In the survey, the constant change of policy initiatives and the large amount of unnecessary paperwork were listed as some of the main obstacles to teachers’ performance. External criticism and unrealistic expectations of teachers were also reported as significant obstacles.

In addition, workload is the issue that would most influence teachers’ decisions to leave the profession, with a massive 71% identifying it as critical.

“Until the high-stakes nature of league tables is removed and teachers are trusted, working hours are unlikely to reduce,” commented NUT General Secretary Christine Blower. “Add to that pension cuts, pay freezes, continual inspection and criticism from Government and recruitment into the teaching profession will become increasingly difficult.”

Allow teachers to teach

One of the teachers interviewed stated categorically: “Allow teachers to teach (i.e. be creative and nurture young minds in an academic environment) and not insist upon pointless targets directed at so called improvement – such a culture has only created soul-less drones instead of sparky characters teachers ought to be.”

Another teacher commented: “I have never heard so many young teachers question why they have chosen the teaching profession and say how undervalued they feel. Equally, many experienced staff feel that education has become a political football and real standards are falling.”

Along those lines, another interviewee stated: “I am bitterly disappointed by the government’s refusal to accept our degree of anger and betrayal at the new pension arrangements, especially given the bonuses paid out to many in the City.”

Positive aspects

Alternatively, the most enjoyed aspects of the job were seeing children progress and class teaching. Educators also valued opportunities to try out and develop new approaches to teaching and learning.

Over six out of 10 teachers (63%) said they found helpful the time allowed for new initiatives to embed and be evaluated, as well as greater consultation with the profession before new policy initiatives are launched.

“We’re professionals - you need to trust us,” concluded one of the teachers.

To find out more about the results of the NUT survey on the teaching profession please go here.