Almost 90% of OECD teachers are satisfied with their jobs, according to TALIS 2024 - Teaching and Learning International Survey, the largest international survey of teachers, in which more than 280,000 teachers from 55 education systems participated.

The Portuguese are among the happiest, with 94% saying they are satisfied with their jobs, according to the survey, which discusses their classroom experiences, relationships with colleagues, students, and parents, and working conditions.

Although fewer and fewer teachers say they are dissatisfied, many admit to changing professions: The majority of young teachers in Portugal (66%) say they chose teaching as their first career option, but 27% admit to leaving the profession within the next five years (the OECD average is 20%).

The survey doesn't provide any reasons for potential departure, but researchers point out that caution is needed regarding the classes assigned to younger teachers, as "seniority is often prioritized, which can place less experienced teachers in the most difficult educational environments."

This approach can lead to two problems: "It can cause younger teachers to become disenchanted with the profession and vulnerable students to receive an unequal education."

Language difficulties

In all 55 education systems analysed, younger teachers had more students with language comprehension difficulties than older teachers, according to the survey conducted in 17,000 schools.

Looking again at Portuguese teachers, they stand out as being among the oldest in the OECD and among those who complain most about the effects of their work: 26% suffer a lot of stress (the OECD average is 19%), 16% believe that their work seriously harms their mental health (10% in the OECD), and 13% believe that it even affects their physical health.

Among the main reasons for stress, they cited having too much administrative work to do (79%) or being held accountable for student performance (79%).

Teachers are also among those who complain most about their employment contracts: Only 39% are satisfied with the terms of their employment, while the OECD average is almost double (68%).

There are fewer dissatisfied with Portuguese salaries today, but even so, only 13% agree with their salaries, while the OECD average is three times higher (39%).

Shortages

The shortage of teachers in schools is a problem felt practically worldwide, notes the OECD, which believes that "a higher social status in the teaching profession can help attract high-quality candidates to the profession and retain experienced teachers."

However, few in Portugal believe their work is recognized: Only 9% believe teachers are valued by society (22% in the OECD).

Inside schools, more than half believe parents and students value them, but they say it is more difficult to be valued by students in socioeconomically disadvantaged schools (i.e., with more than 30% of children from poor families).

Only 4% believe their opinions are taken into account by policymakers (a figure four times lower than the average for OECD countries).

Eight out of every eight teachers say they trust their colleagues; the majority recognize several qualities in principals and believe they get along well with students.

In Portugal, half of teachers report achieving lesson objectives in all seven areas defined by TALIS: instructional clarity, cognitive activation, feedback, consolidation support, adapting instruction to students' diverse needs, supporting students' socio-emotional learning, and classroom management.

Interestingly, the percentage of teachers with less than five years of experience who report achieving goals in all seven areas (45%) is similar to that of experienced teachers (51%).

Among teachers' lesson objectives, engaging students in challenging work (75%) is the least likely to be achieved.