As South Korea marked Teachers’ Day, a new survey revealed growing frustration among educators. Early-career teacher resignations have reached a five-year high, and many teachers say they are losing control in the classroom.
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations surveyed 5,591 teachers nationwide. About 90% said the rising number of new teachers leaving the job is a serious problem.
Many pointed to a loss of teacher authority. Four in 10 said discipline problems and lack of control in the classroom were the main reasons for quitting. Other reasons included lower social respect for their role and poor pay.
Smartphones are also causing trouble. Two-thirds of teachers said phones often disrupt lessons. One-third said they had been yelled at or insulted when trying to stop students from using them. Alarmingly, about 6% said they were physically attacked. Nearly 86% feared being secretly recorded by students.
When asked what the next president should prioritize in education, most teachers said protecting teacher authority. They also asked for better pay and improved classroom environments. More than half said the next president should have good communication skills and be able to bring people together.