‘Good signs’: Survey finds 1 in 3 parents would back their child to become a teacher

One in three Australian parents would support their child’s dream to become an educator in the classroom. Have your say.

One in three Australian parents would support their child in seeking a career as a teacher, giving hope of a future spike in the number of educators across Australia.

The Best Teachers 2024 pulse survey conducted in April by News Corp Australia’s Growth Innovation Centre, found public perception of teaching as a career was high, with more than half of the 2100 Australians surveyed saying teachers help contribute to the betterment of society, are in a fulfilling career and there will always be employment demand.

One third of Australian parents believe teaching is a worthy profession because there will always be employment demand.

But concerns about the challenges teachers face were also evident. Two-thirds of parents cited the poor treatment teachers experience from parents and children, as well as the high mental and physical demands of the job as reasons why it wouldn’t be their first choice of profession for their own kids.

Federal education minister Jason Clare said while the country’s teacher shortage crisis was “10 years in the making”, there were early signs that things were improving.

“There are about 4000 more teachers in a classroom last year than the year before and that’s a good sign,” he said.

Education Minister Jason Clare. Picture: James Dowling

“There are also more uni students studying teaching this year than last year and in particular, more people doing the mid-career switch from another profession who want to be a teacher.

“So that tells me that the Australia’s Best Teachers campaign that ran (last year) worked, that it has tapped into something here.

“A lot of people in the middle of their career in their 30s or their 40s are looking for more meaning in life and that’s what you get from teaching.”

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Originally published as ‘Good signs’: Survey finds 1 in 3 parents would back their child to become a teacher