are teachers today too stressed to do a good job?
By squaretile
@squaretile (3778)
Singapore
June 4, 2007 2:13am CST
The teachers I know in Singapore always look tired and drained. For some reason, those teaching primary school seem more tired than those teaching secondary school (ages 13-16).
It seems like they are always preparing lessons, marking books, reading diaries. Some even give their handphone numbers out to the children, who don't know better and call them at 10pm on weekdays or even during weekends. Even though they were told only to call for very important business during 'working hours' i.e. before 8pm.
Teachers are not required to give out their handphone numbers but i think my friends do because they want to be accessible. However, this can be abused and the teacher has much less privacy and time of her own.
Most teachers in Singapore complain that they are bogged down by administrative hassle. For instance, they have to collect fees for all sorts of school trips, or administrative projects and extra curricular activities.
The recent sad news I've heard is that the school principal schedules training courses during the school holidays. Teachers cannot take leave during the school term, in part because they are said to already have about 2 months of leave each year. however, the recent mantra is that school holidays are a privilege, not an entitlement.
So this means that teachers can't even quite plan holidays because they have to be in town to attend courses. For most working adults, when you go on course, it's during office hours. And then another colleague covers your duties. But for teachers, they have to be trained during their rest period.
And teachers have to come back to school everyday one week before term starts to prepare for the new term. attend meetings and do all sorts of funny, non-teaching stuff, like plan skits or arrange plays by international schools. I feel really sorry for teachers these days. They can hardly concentrate on being just good teachers, and are constantly deprived of rest.
Disciplining children is also getting more and more difficult. More and more children come from single parent families, and unstable home environments. This makes them very angry young people, prone to violence. It's so sad that they have so many issues outside school that they can't concentrate on being students, or just growing up normally.
The whole situation is very sad, and there doesn't seem to be a clear plan on making things better. Have you observed this as well?
3 people like this
18 responses
@fidainc (410)
• Singapore
4 Jun 07
Teachers should not complain for the amount of workload they have but should think of a solution that will ease their daily routine.
I've never had a teacher who gives out their personal numbers to their student. Alternatively, teachers can apply for another number on another phone which will be switched off automatically after 'official hours'.
If marking books are a hassle, they shouldn't be a teacher in the first place!
Preparation of tests, daily classes etc is just like other working adults out there preparing reports, presentation etc. But for teachers, it can be made more fun and exciting as to other profession.
Seriously... teachers are paid very well nowadays. Instead of complaining, they should know better and find a better solution to their 'work problems'.
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
I agree with you that teacher's do get paid pretty good. I think your a little harsh on them though. I put myself in there shoes and think of all the work during the day, marking papers and preparing assignments and prep work off hours and much more I just get over whelmed thinking about it. Your also right they can think of solutions to make life easier for themselves.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
Sometimes it is not the workload that is daunting... it is the people that they are dealing with that makes the job all that tougher.
And this is regardless of whether you are a teacher or not.
Ever walked into a room full of demanding customers to do a presentation to them about your products only to be bombarded with loads of questions on quality, quantity or even your knowledge of competitor's products to see if you know your work?
Well, kids now a days are so smart and scheming, they will constantly try their limits to see what they can get away with.
With policies that casts aside the rod for a more softer approach of counseling to teach or discipline the child lest they be psychologically or physically abused.
And with parents being over-protective of their child, the teachers are caught with their hands tied most of the time.
So it is tough being a teacher today... as compared to when we were kids. no?
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
4 Jun 07
Yes, I do observe this as well. The profession is getting more and more difficult to handle as the time goes by.
Kids these days are not only more rebellious, they are also more aware of the rules and regulations with regards to how they should be treated. Couple that with the new spare the rod to train the child methodologies and over protective parents, the kids are really difficult to handle, especially if you are from one of the average/below average neighborhood schools!
In order to have good behave kids, the training starts from home. And parents MUST cooperate with the teachers in order for the system to work.
Ever heard of the following scenario?
Teacher: 'Mdm, you kid used vulgar language on another teacher today.'
Parent: 'Sure or not?'
Teacher: 'Yes Mdm. Can you kindly refrain your child from using such languages?'
Parent: '(*@&!#!!! We pay school fees for what? You don't teach my child the proper things, now you are accusing him of saying things he didn't. You beware I write a letter of complaint to MOE and sue you for slander ah!!'
Teacher: '... ...'
Many times when the teacher does feedback to the parents on the wayward behavior on the kid, the parents will jump to the defense of the child. So instead of teaching the child that using vulgar language is wrong, the kid learns that as long as mommy or daddy is around to defend them, they can defy the teacher as much as they want to.
Time have changed... really... times have changed!
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
I agree. Some times, a good caning will bring the message across better than most counseling sessions. Why? no pain, no vivid memories of the lesson learnt.
I mean, if a child is bent on defiance... and all the teacher can do is talk to the child about his/her behavior, do you think it will work? It is like singing to a cow. Unless the child experience the gravity of a consequence, no amount of words can be drummed into them.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
Yup, parents can be really awful. My friend called up a kid's mum and told her that he was caught punching his classmate after a supplementary class. she said 'is that so?' followed by 'why is there supplementary class anyway? is it because you can't finish teaching the syllabus? why are you so slow?' obviously being defensive and trying to change the topic! my friend was just being hardworking and adding classes during her own free time so that they would be better prepared for the exams!
Children who behave badly say this " teacher, you cannot do anything to me. I can always complain to my mum and she will write to the Ministry of Education and you will get into trouble'. I think our education system is getting soft! In the past teachers had more leeway and discretion in disciplining kids. Now their hands are tied in the name of protecting the fragile psyches of kids. Kids my generation were severely disciplined by teachers if they deserved it, and their parents stood behind it! And they are none the worse for it. In fact, they might have steered away from a life of crime and hooliganism because bad rebellious behaviour was nipped in the bud!
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
yes, some kids just don't get it in their thick skulls that what they are doing is not acceptable in civilised society.
@helloravinder (433)
• India
5 Jun 07
"When a person unable to get a good job he becomes a Teacher" this is the common perception about this profession. Yes, today the teahers are too stressed to do a good job. It's not the teaching that makes him feel stressed but it's the other work those are not related with his job. These extra works are being forced upon them by the authorities and in actual these are the jobs of the clerks. But now a days it's a trend that especially private schools ask their teachers for these extra jobs. In my views if a teacher is free from these types of extra jobs then only he can deliver the best.
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
Squaretile, you must be talking about my wife..haha..cos she is a school teacher. Having had much direct feedback from her all these years about how the teaching environment has changed, I do somewhat agree with your observation in general although not all things the way you had put it. For sure, kids are more rebellious and difficult to teach these days compared to the past. So discipline is a very common problem in schools now that teachers have to grapple with. With protective parents who usually think their kids are right, it is a trying time for teachers to educate the young and bring out the best in them.
The admin work teachers are asked to do have certainly increased over the years. But schools now have Administrative Managers and Operations Managers to handle some of these things. I would say without them, the situation can be worse, so certainly there is some relief here. As for planning leave to go for holidays, it is true that part of the long school holidays are usually taken up by courses and some extra activities like camps, etc. But if a teacher plans in advance a holiday, and conveys this to the school early through the head of department, usually some arrangement can be worked out. My wife has been going on holidays with me once or twice a year during long sch hols, and usually she will be able to get her holiday break approved working around the days she has to be back in school during such break times. So the restrictions you have cited can be mitigated. What is required is some advanced planning and working the schedule. This is the same in the real working world.
But overall, a teacher's job nowadays is more "challenging". Teachers who come into the vocation wishing only to teach often find themselves demoralised when they get swamped with higher expectations from their superiors, more admin work, more school activities and achievement awards to go for, more difficult, uninterested and defiant students, as well as protective parents. They may not have these expectations when they first thought about going into teaching. That's a sad situation, because I know many teachers who have a great passion to teach (like my wife) but often complain about all the other things that make their teaching life rather trying. If only they could turn the clock back....
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
Yah, the two major stress points in a teacher's life are uncooperative, defensive parents, and paper-award chasing, demanding principals.
So at the 'customer' end and at the 'supervisor' end they are facing stress. Although this is the same as in any job, I feel sorry for teachers, because most of them are truly trying to do a good job to educate the next generation. But what principals are more concerned with are rankings, getting a good reputation and acting more like CEOs than head teachers.
Parents are so occupied with working these days that they have no clue what their kids are up to. Which in part explains the teenage pregnancies and the like. A sad vicious cycle.
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
Yes, agree. If I may add, the days of the dedicated teachers are numbered. The older teachers were more dedicated to their jobs, but the situation nowadays + lots of never-ending changes and innovations are making their teaching life rather threatening, so many will choose to retire earlier. The newer teachers get demoralised easier because of the mismatch in expectations of the job, and they come and go when the situation is not going good for them. Being younger, they have mobility, but that means that not that many will become dedicated teachers who will continue to stay and teach because they love to teach. They may have passion, but when they are overwhelmed, they just pack up and leave for another career.
1 person likes this
@fly_shay (333)
• Philippines
13 Jun 07
teachers really have important role to play in the lives of the children. And children nowadays are more active than before. It gives stressful work that even at home, they have to do some school work. Aside from making lessons. But I tell you, being a teacher of preschoolers are very satisfying especially if you see on the children's faces that they were happy as they go out in the classroom because they enjoyed the teacher's activities.I think that alone can be a relieving vitamin on the part of the teacher.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
14 Jun 07
that's true - play time is the only time kids really enjoy.
having too much homework is another thing. It really kills one's childhood! If only teachers didn't have to give homework, then they wouldn't have to mark homework either!
@appletrees (4)
• China
5 Jun 07
yes,i thimk so
teachers face more problems.
students know more and they are hard to teach.
the teacher do lots to promote to a higher position
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
yes, then the objective is geared towards serving themselves and not the next generation of citizens.
@zuri25 (2125)
• United States
4 Jun 07
As with any career, one has to learn how to manage the good with the bad. Teachers are very special, very important people that have a lot of different roles and responsibilities placed upon their shoulders. In my opinion, the very best teachers are the ones that take on all of the demands of their jobs and their personal lives and still choose to teach our children because they genuinely care and love what they do. In my experiences with education, my very favorite teachers were those that went above and beyond the call of duty. They were my teachers, yes, but they became my friends, confidants, and mentors. Without them I wouldn't be who I am today. Do I think teachers get stressed out and sometimes have breakdowns and difficulties beyond measure? Absolutely. Perhaps some teachers are too stressed out and bogged down with daily life as a teacher to do their job to the best of their ability, but the ones who can are the creme dela creme of educators.
@Meljep (1666)
• United States
4 Jun 07
There are so many contraints on teachers these days that it is hard just to teach the cirriculum and do a good job at it. There are a few teachers out there who manage to do it, but it takes a lot of dedication and a lot of time.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
4 Jun 07
The United States teachers have it very hard too. They spend more time trying to control these terrible mannered children, and less teaching. They have to spend their own money for projects. It's draining for them.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
there should really be a fund for such projects. it's sad that the best teachers also get discouraged the quickest.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Teachers are probably stressed in our country because of the No Child Left Behind Act enacted by President Bush. As a result, they have a tremendous amount of paper work as well as preparation for testing every year. It's taking away from the actual learning experience for our children and I'm not sure that they are any more prepared for college after all is said and done.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
i think most US schools still have curriculums that make learning fun though. in singapore it's rather stressful and everything is results oriented. thus the learning process is rather dry.
@hiteshrawat (194)
•
4 Jun 07
well teaching seems to be a rather easy job with respect to the point of view of a student. i always thought ,in my school life,that teachers are like KINGS they don't even move a limb and get everything they want.teachers rules and constantly show off their monopoly over their particular class of pupils.
but that was never true and i found it when i have to teach a boy of my own "Calculus" the toughest part of mathematics's.
so people never say that a teacher's job is easy and it is attached with whole lot of stress factor.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
yes in the past there used to be more respect for teachers. of course my parents' generation saw teachers being revered like kings.
@roxyranelli (33)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Definately, teachers are underpaid. They are definately ones to take their work home with them. Lesson plans are not an easy task, and dealing with issues children have, whom are in your classroom, can make life even more stressful. Many nights of sleep are lost because of teachers thinking about how they can help a child in need.
1 person likes this
@maehan (1439)
• United States
4 Jun 07
You are right! That's why I salute to the teachers. My auntie, cousin and myself (relieve teacher) are teachers in Singapore. My auntie and myself taught Secondary School while my cousin taught primary school.
It is stressful coz we are worried that our students do not do well. On the other had, it can be rewarding when your student do well and appreciate your assistance in ways. Reason being why I did not pursue a teaching career as my dream is to become an Engineer.
For myself, I let the teacher discipline my children when they do not behave in school. I 100% support the teacher because they are doing a great job. They are responsible, patient, loved and caring for the student as if their kids.
Currently I am in US, my children miss their teacher in Singapore. They even told their teacher how great are their teachers in Singapore. I think if I am their teacher, I will be very glad and happy.
Salute to all Teachers!
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
that's great that your kids miss their teacher. i'm sure they are enjoying school in the US though. much more interesting activities and less rote learning.
@jyngers (13)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
Teacher in the Philippines are underpaid, over worked and were not recognized. no wonder why our educational system is declining. coz all eligible teachers would rather leave home to work aboard to earn a decent living. too bad
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
5 Jun 07
it's not just teachers too. nurses and doctors and engineers are all working abroad cos they get recognised and paid so much more. It's a pity.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Jun 07
While I do agree teachers should be paid more, I have to disagree with the fact they are too stressed to do a good job. I work in the Law Enforcement field as a 911 Dispatcher. Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Dispatchers, EMS, Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses. We all work Holidays, weekends, mandatory overtime. AND we don't get paid double time for holidays either. It is considered a normal working day for us. We can't plan holidays either. But, we all manage to do our jobs, mind you, alot of police, etc are underpaid as well for risking their lives daily. You choose your profession and all the ups & downs that go with it. If you choose to become a teacher, and want to be a good teacher, there are sacrifices you make. That is just a part of life.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
yes these are all jobs that give more than they receive. one must have a strong calling to serve and apitude for the job before taking this up.
@velvetprinzess (1064)
• Singapore
4 Jun 07
Yeah, I have to agree with you on this.
I have close friends and relatives who are teachers and they are really living a very tough life. Most work about 12 hours a day and when they get back home, they still need to work on lesson plans, mark books, etc. They've got to work hard to please the principal, the heads of departments and plus parents. Moreover there's still the student's discipline to grapple with. It's a tough life though it pays well.
So the government tries to give them a better pay package so attract more people but I think this is still rather limited at the moment. I think more should be done to help them.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
some countries pay teachers better than others, but usually it's not the pay that they are grousing about, it's the stress and the discipline problems.
@tmikuckis (63)
• United States
5 Jun 07
maybe in the phillipines. But I don't think so regarding here in the united states of america.
