Pushed to the limit
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Pushed to the limit
Ex-teachers say they took up to 5 years to consider leaving .
By Emilie Lauer
Ex-teachers on average can take up to five years to decide if they want to quit the profession , according to early results of an Australian-first study .
Preliminary data from a University of Queensland study which surveyed 255 ex-teachers nationwide found the majority took two to five years to consider whether they wanted to leave the classroom .
Nearly 60 per cent of respondents , who mostly identified as female and taught in high schools , worked in the public sector with 20 per cent working in Catholic schools and a quarter from independent schools .
Over 70 per cent of teachers surveyed were full-time employees .
According to co-study author Dr Ellen Larsen , the decision to change professions can be “ incredibly difficult ” for teachers .
“ These teachers knew they were going to need to leave the job , but they hung on in there because it isn ’ t an easy step to take ,” Dr Larsen told Education Review .
“ Our teachers are not giving up on a wimp , but they get to a point where they just can ’ t stay .”
Dr Larsen said the study highlighted years of heavy workloads , behaviour issues , poor school leadership and lack of respect as major factors which led educators to quit .
Of all teachers surveyed , about 40 per cent had taught between 7 to 15 years before leaving their jobs .
Researchers said a loss of expertise has added extra pressure onto schools and remaining staff .
After quitting , nearly 40 per cent of ex-teachers said they continued to work in education-related areas such as policy development , management or consulting .
About 20 per cent left the K-12 education sector altogether to pursue work in universities .
More than 1854 permanent teachers in NSW quit last year , according to state education department data , showing an increase from 929 reported in 2020 .
The federal government estimates a shortfall of more than 4000 secondary school teachers by 2025 .
Yet , Dr Larsen said not all is lost , and ex-teachers might possibly return to the profession with 80 per cent reporting that they kept their teacher registration up to date .
“ This speaks to the fact that teachers struggle to let go of a profession they have cared about and invested in ,” she said .
“ Half of the participants said they ’ re not definite and might return to the classroom at one stage .
“ Wouldn ’ t it be lovely if we could actually make our schools a place where those teachers , with all that experience and enthusiasm , actually wanted to return to ?” ■
Up in smoke
Nationwide ban on vaping announced .
By Emilie Lauer
Recreational vaping will be banned nationwide under new reforms introduced by the Health Minister .
In May , Mark Butler announced $ 737 million dollars will be allocated to fund major actions to reduce vaping and smoking in Australia .
The announcement followed multiple studies highlighting the risks of youth vaping .
“ Vaping is creating a whole new generation of nicotine dependency in our community ,” Mr Butler said in a speech at the National Press Club .
“ Young people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking .
“ So is it any wonder that under 25s are the only cohort in the community currently recording an increase in smoking rates ?”
To challenge youth vaping , the government will restrict flavours , flashy colours and vape components , introducing ‘ minimum quality standards ’ to be followed by tobacco companies .
According to government figures , 1 in 6 teenagers aged 14-17 has tried vaping .
At school , research has shown students who vape are more likely to miss school days and get expelled .
Last year , over 58 per cent of teachers confiscated vaping products from students two or more times a week .
Teenagers bought vapes illegally from friends , social media , online websites and vape stores , with flavour being the primary factor driving produce choice .
Students said it was ‘ easy ’ to get access to vapes .
Australian National University Epidemiology and Population Health Professor Emily Banks said reducing vape accessibility in the country could reduce youth vaping .
“ We often talk about the need to educate students to make wise choices , and that is true , but generally , if you have widespread ability to access something heavily promoted and addictive , people will use it ,” Professor Banks told Education Review .
“ I don ’ t think the aim is to get to zero , but we need to work on a comprehensive approach , reducing supply and making the product less attractive for youth .”
Professor Banks said the addictive nature of nicotine is problematic , especially for young people , as they can quickly become addicted , suffer long-term health consequences and miss out on an independent future . Under Australian regulations , disposable vapes with or without nicotine can only be sold in pharmacies with valid prescriptions for people over 18 .
The product was first introduced in the country to help long-term smokers quit . ■
educationreview . com . au | 3