The challenges teachers face

World Teachers Day was celebrated on October 5 and this year’s theme was “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession.”

Teaching and Learning International (TALIS) research survey released by the Basic Education Department earlier this year revealed some of the challenges that South African teachers are  facing. These challenges range from administrative tasks, keeping order in classrooms to classroom size. The survey revealed that in SA only 66% of a teacher’s time in the classroom is spent on teaching, compared to 78% in other countries. Teachers who participated in the survey rated the reduction of classroom size as their top priority, with the second being an increase in salaries.

The five most common problems teachers are facing:

1. Unsupportive school leaders – while many principals are incredibly supportive, there are those who just aren’t. In these cases, high levels of stress are created, ultimately hindering the teacher’s performance, making her job more difficult and threatening the morale of the entire faculty.

2. Teachers who are failing in their classrooms – most teachers who see their colleagues failing in the classroom, never address it and instead there is an impact of the failure, which includes poor student learning, more work for colleagues and an increase in stress for everyone who is affected.

3. Teachers who let their peers down – teachers not only work with students, but they need to work with one another, across departments and throughout the school, collaborating on curriculum issues, team teaching and other critical issues.

4. Parents who fail to support learning – parents have a significant role to play in their children’s school career. From facilitating learning, encouraging good behaviour and supporting teachers.

5. Students who have behavioural problems ultimately create issues for other students in the classroom, while making the teacher’s job much more difficult.