Less than half of teachers have degree in subject
A recent article which appeared in the Times by Alexandra Frean, Education Editor stated that less than half of primary school teachers have two good A levels, while only 41 per cent of secondary teachers have a degree in the subject they teach, according to a report claiming that the profession is in crisis.
There has been a big increase in teacher numbers in recent years, after a shortage in the mid1990s. But the report from the think-tank Politeia says government policies focus too much on increasing numbers with too little regard for quality. It notes there there are two non teaching members of staff for every three teachers. There are now 150,000 teaching assistants, while the number of unqualified teachers working in schools has increased significantly in the past decade.
Bob Moon, Professor of Education at the Open University and co-author of the report, said: “The assessment system allows even the weakest candidates through.”
Do we have a system that is imbalanced due to a gap in the applicants subject expertise or the overall demands of the educational system? Holding relevant first class honours is of little use to a teacher unable to control a modern classroom and motivate the learning process. Adolescents constantly test the boundaries, and as in the animal kingdom, the weak are defeated by the strong.
Stress is the single largest reason for newly qualified teachers to leave the profession within three years. Constant curricula modifications, the attitude and aptitude of the class versus the ability of the teacher to assimilate, control and stimulate takes its toll.
The high level of staff turnover creates issues, not least attempting to match qualifications to subject area. Any teacher lacking the control instinct is doubtful to excel in front line teaching - in any subject. And once the weakness is spotted in the class the hyenas move in.
Changes in society’s attitudes and modern influences on children’s behaviour have to be accepted but kids will always respond positively to some form of discipline. Setting the ground rules removes the option to play up, allowing the teacher to concentrate on the learning process. Key is the fundamental skill to make learning fun and enjoyable engendering an enthusiasm to learn more. Modern classroom resources incorporating learning in educational games format assists the teaching capacity at school and equally at home.
Better to have a skilled disciplinarian than a degree, but maybe the role of parental support at home is more of a necessity than we realise.
Alistair Owens
educational games at www.keen2learn.co.uk
