Nine out of 10 NSW teachers considered quitting, new survey shows

Lockdowns, pushy parents, long work hours and student misbehaviour are fuelling stress in NSW teachers, and now they want smartphones banned.

Badly behaved students are taking up half the workday of teachers stressed by pandemic lockdowns, a shocking new survey shows.

The 2021 Teachers Report Card, by the Australian College of Educators, reveals that 88 per cent of teachers have considered quitting the profession since the start of the pandemic.

Lockdowns, pushy parents, paperwork, long work hours and misbehaving students are fuelling teacher stress.

One in three teachers felt unable to teach effectively during the months of home schooling in NSW this year.

Nearly one in four teachers felt “unable to maintain a positive outlook’’ due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The ACE study shows that 71 per cent of NSW teachers are now spending more time providing “emotional support’’ to students upset by lockdowns.

Despite four months of remote learning, one in four NSW teachers reported their school had not ensured all students had access to digital devices, and 14 per cent had failed to develop any digital learning materials.

Three quarters of teachers feel stressed at work “fairly often to most of the time”, with 40 per cent devoting more than 10 hours a week on administrative paperwork.

Nine out of 10 NSW teachers considered quitting this year. Photo: iStock

Nearly a quarter of teachers have been giving lessons in subjects they’re not fully qualified to teach.

And 42 per cent are devoting more than a quarter of their day managing students’ behavioural issues – with some wasting half the day on behaviour management.

“Teachers said they feel overworked, burnt out and undervalued,’’ the report states.

“There are still some (people) who see teaching as a ‘cruisy’ job.

“For years, the teaching profession has been criticised for being ‘easy’ based on the view that teachers get a holiday when their students do, and classes only run from 9am to 3pm.

“The reality … is that teachers work hard.

“Work does not stop once teachers leave their classrooms.

“They work many irregular hours; 30 per cent put in more than an additional 10 hours at school before going home and, once at home, 20 per cent keep working for more than 15 hours.’’

Teachers are also copping verbal abuse and aggression from parents who view them as “glorified babysitters’’.

Two thirds of NSW teachers feel “disregarded’’ by parents.

And one in four teachers thinks students are given too much homework.

Helen Jentz, CEO of the Australian College of Educators.

ACE chief executive Helen Jentz said Covid-19 lockdowns have placed teachers under greater stress.

“A lot more of their time has been taken up in dealing with mental health and wellbeing issues with students,’’ she said.

“(Online teaching) wasn’t an easy shift to make.

“There is a feeling that the profession is not respected, the teacher workload is overwhelming and student wellbeing has really come to the fore, taking a lot more time and energy and resources.’’

After 18 months of home schooling during the world’s longest lockdown, Melbourne teacher Lauren Sayer feels “absolutely exhausted.’’

“It’s been incredibly hard for parents, but teachers have been there every day along the way,’’ she said.

“Everybody is absolutely exhausted and feeling a little bit forgotten.’’

Lauren Sayer says teachers are “absolutely exhausted”. Picture: Alex Coppel

Ms Sayer loves her job after an 18-year career inspiring teenagers to learn.

As executive director of research and innovation at Melbourne Girls Grammar, she was at the frontline of training teachers and students to move lessons online during lockdowns.

“Teachers have been the unsung champions of the pandemic,’’ she said.

“The spotlight’s been on nurses and doctors and paramedics but teachers have not stopped.

“You’re part performer, part television producer over Zoom, inspiring a group of students who don’t want to be in the position.

“For teachers who are parents, it’s been difficult beyond belief to be responsible for up to 100 students every day online, with your own children at home.’’

The survey was sponsored by Futurity Investment Group, which funds the National Excellence in Teaching Awards.