Eight out of 10 Victorian teachers considered quitting during remote learning

Lockdowns, pushy parents, long work hours and student misbehaviour are fuelling stress in Victoria’s teachers, and some want to quit.

Exclusive: 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.’’

The stress of remote teaching has driven eight out of 10 Victorian teachers to consider quitting during pandemic lockdowns.

One in four teachers felt “unable to maintain a positive outlook’’ due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 Teachers Report Card, by the Australian College of Educators, reveals.

Despite 18 months of remote learning, 5 per cent of teachers revealed their schools had failed to ensure all students had access to digital devices, and 8 per cent had failed to develop digital learning materials.

One in four teachers has worked at least six days a week during the pandemic, and 40 per cent feel underpaid.

Lockdowns, pushy parents, paperwork, long work hours and student misbehaviour are fuelling teacher stress.

Teacher Lauren Sayer was at the frontline of training teachers and students to move lessons online during lockdowns. Picture: Alex Coppel

Despite the challenges, 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 ACE study shows that 84 per cent of Victorian teachers are now spending more time providing “emotional support’’ to students upset by lockdowns.

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.

More than half of Victoria’s teachers feel ‘disregarded’ by parents. Picture: iStock

One in three teachers has been giving lessons in subjects they’re not fully qualified to teach.

And 30 per cent are devoting more than a quarter of their day managing students’ behavioural issues.

“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’’.

More than half Victoria’s teachers feel “disregarded’’ by parents.

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.’’

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