"Even If Reborn, I Would Be a Teacher"... Only 2 Out of 10 Teachers Say So

Job Satisfaction Only 21.4%

On the 13th, two days before Teachers' Day, a survey revealed that only 2 out of 10 current teachers responded that they would choose the teaching profession again if they were reborn. This survey has been conducted for the past 12 years, and this result is the lowest ever recorded.

The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) announced on the 13th that, based on a survey conducted from the 26th of last month to the 6th of this month targeting 11,320 kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers nationwide, 19.7% of respondents answered that they would choose the teaching profession again if they were reborn.

Elementary school classroom. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article.

The KFTA has been conducting the same survey since 2012. This response rate is the lowest ever and marks the first time it has fallen into the 10% range.

Previously, the percentage of respondents who said they would "choose the teaching profession again" was 36.7% in 2012, rising to 52.6% in 2016. However, it decreased again to 39.2% in 2019 and dropped to the 20% range at 29.9% in 2022.

Job satisfaction among teachers is also declining. When asked if they are satisfied with their current teaching career, only 21.4% responded affirmatively.

The biggest difficulties teachers face in their profession were reported as follows: ▲ Guidance for behavioral problems and maladjusted students 31.7%, ▲ Complaints from parents and maintaining relationships 24%, ▲ Administrative tasks unrelated to education and excessive miscellaneous duties 22.4%.

Additionally, 26.9% of teachers responded that they have experienced or are aware of cases of secret recordings by students or parents at their current schools. 62.7% expressed willingness to purchase devices to prevent secret recordings as a countermeasure.

More than half of the teachers, 52%, opposed school field trips, citing concerns about parental complaints and lawsuits in case of accidents.

The KFTA emphasized, "Teachers are increasingly losing pride, mission, and passion," and urged, "Before it reaches an irreversible stage, it is necessary to establish special laws and systems to protect teachers' rights and to improve working conditions and treatment by abolishing or transferring administrative tasks."