Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Most teachers can afford go holiday anywhere in the world at least once a year.

Meaning the salary package is quite good. Can buy condo, hdb, car whichever.

50 to 60 hours works are very normal.

Some customer service officers do 12 hours work daily.

Shopping mall workers also similar.

Those security guards or those doing operations running 24x7. Do shift or what. From 8 hours to 12 hrs

Normal office workers 9 to 10 hours per day usually.

Baaically, most people are spending such long hours.

Teachers workload is nothing much worse comparing to other profession

During the 9-10 hours daily, teachers need to spend 3 hours or so, raising their voices, control kids/teenagers, sweating buckets, while still ensuring proper lessons. Anything that happens to the kids/teenagers, they are entirely responsible too.

Do security guards and office workers do that?

You're missing out the main reason for exhaustion completely.

The ones which are truly comparable, are childcare/SEN teachers, nurses and social workers.

示法证悟诗

菩提本无树

明镜亦非台.

本来无一物

何处惹尘埃

Originally Posted by Unregistered

During the 9-10 hours daily, teachers need to spend 3 hours or so, raising their voices, control kids/teenagers, sweating buckets, while still ensuring proper lessons. Anything that happens to the kids/teenagers, they are entirely responsible too.

Do security guards and office workers do that?

You're missing out the main reason for exhaustion completely.

The ones which are truly comparable, are childcare/SEN teachers, nurses and social workers.

Some people think being MOE teacher taking care of 40 kids is very easy, but these people cant even discipline, educate, parent and meet the emotional needs of their own two kids.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Whats the point of complaining so much. Accept it or not happy, leave. Slogging doesn't mean you get promotions and pay raises. Whether you like it or not, your endpoint is already predetermined even before you start university or enter the force. Surely you must have noticed something's amiss when you have scholars who can become VPs at early 30s or even Ps at mid-30s?

for one, every working singaporean will complain. i dont think this trait is limited to teachers only. most people in the working class will feel tired, exhausted, wronged, burnt out, maligned, fed up, frustrated etc.

and most teachers are okay with the median pay (though its actually less attractive now), and do what they believe in for the kids, so most do not wish to resign

what's really damn annoying is when the public keeps degrading the profession and calling out myths like the job is damn easy and the pay is damn high. for THAT, i completely support the teachers complaints against this irritating group of people

why not complain about lawyers? doctors? bankers? is it because their jobs are more prestigious? is it because they are not as easy to target? is it because they are more protected? is it because teachers are more "exposed" to members of the public and hence easier to bully?

because if THOSE ABOVE are really true, then it is indeed unfair

i really hope that one day, the country's education system does not go to the extent of hong kong and south korea where teachers are driven into suicide

Originally Posted by Unregistered

for one, every working singaporean will complain. i dont think this trait is limited to teachers only. most people in the working class will feel tired, exhausted, wronged, burnt out, maligned, fed up, frustrated etc.

and most teachers are okay with the median pay (though its actually less attractive now), and do what they believe in for the kids, so most do not wish to resign

what's really damn annoying is when the public keeps degrading the profession and calling out myths like the job is damn easy and the pay is damn high. for THAT, i completely support the teachers complaints against this irritating group of people

why not complain about lawyers? doctors? bankers? is it because their jobs are more prestigious? is it because they are not as easy to target? is it because they are more protected? is it because teachers are more "exposed" to members of the public and hence easier to bully?

because if THOSE ABOVE are really true, then it is indeed unfair

i really hope that one day, the country's education system does not go to the extent of hong kong and south korea where teachers are driven into suicide

If they are not already driven to suicide, it is a fact that IMH sees cases of teachers who have fallen into depression. This was shared to me by nursing friends who serve IMH.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If they are not already driven to suicide, it is a fact that IMH sees cases of teachers who have fallen into depression. This was shared to me by nursing friends who serve IMH.

And just to add on - there are mid career switchers who jumped into teaching, most wanting to leave even before the end of the year.

Every school will have some staff welfare, like getting snacks, fun workshops, prizes etc.

Anyone knows what is approx allocated budget per person for a particular year?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

my guess here is you're either a high level KP or SL who has lost touch with the ground level, or not a teacher at all

truths:

1. the average of 50-60 hours per week is true. yes it's not the worst. but it's tending towards the bad end when comparing all industries. the salary used to be better compared to other industries, but since covid, many industries have caught up (including fellow ministries). and is the salary really worth it for the average workload and hours? food for thought.

2. there are indeed PD courses which are mostly paid for. but do you think teachers have the time and energy to go for these things EVEN if they are deemed useful?

truths they may be, but they also generate more questions for debate.

myths:

1. 4-6 months of bonuses are only for above-average and excellent performers, or higher/senior management. the vast majority of the ministry only receives 3+ months per year - similar to other ministries (standard comparison will be with the general MX scheme)

2. no way is there 40 days of undisturbed holidays/leave. there is a standard of around 30 days of protected leave, but the dates cannot be chosen - they are allocated. there may be some additional unprotected days off, if a school does not need an officer to report back for official duty. but to add on, for March, June and September holidays, the vast majority of teachers will be spending a lot of time either marking or setting papers. there may also be official work duties like national exam invigilation.

if the public (who are wrongfully jealous of this all the time) want a more accurate average number for holidays/leave/days off - it is around 25-30 days per year. if still want to be calculative, it is actually being fair to pay them back some free days for the constant OT during curriculum time.

to be honest, the ministry ought to publish some official guidelines to educate the public specifically about the unique workload and hours of teachers, because the public simply cannot stop shooting their misconceptions at them. so many keep quiet here because they're just sick and tired of trying to dispel these ancient boomer level misconceptions that have existed since the 1980s my goodness

It’s honestly not that bad. I’m a teacher of 10+ years, and I don’t think I’m overpaid, but I don’t think I’m underpaid either. It’s a stable career that pays ok and does have its perks and fulfilment.

The workload is heavy and we sometimes bring work home, but this is true for many other industries too. When I compare myself to friends outside, I don’t think I work that much more than them. I also get more holidays, just that I cannot pick and choose when to go on leave.

Protected leave time every year is about 30-40 days depending on whether you count weekends. I do work during sch holidays planning and marking and running events, but it’s mostly during unprotected time. Once protected time starts I really don’t do any work other than replying occasional messages.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone. Seeking advice here.

Been feeling very down and burnt out lately. Not because of the workload or work culture, but rather, the attitudes of the students. My school isn’t top tier, but kids are hardworking and do perform well. But their attitude downright sucks - openly defiant towards teachers, sloppy work, and demand for work to be marked FAST and they will tell you that you are paid to do so when you ask for more time. Some even openly tell you that they have tuition teachers, and that’s the reason why they are doing well, not because of your teaching. One kid has never touched the notes, did badly, and told his friends that the notes suck. He made sure that he was loud enough for me to hear.

Recently told students that they need to be more self-directed since no one is paying attention in class knowing that notes are available online. Someone then blatantly shouted and started ranting on how my performance bonus would be cut if they complain and every does badly. Pushed me for an answer, asking if I would want my salary and progression to be affected. These people are potential leaders endorsed by their respective cca or committee teachers. They are but two of the many students who are extremely inconsistent.

I fondly remember how my students from a few years ago. They were not eloquent and academically inclined, but they tried their best and knew that certain boundaries should not be crossed. Granted, they were from another school and not as privileged as these kids, so maybe they cherished opportunities to learn much more as they knew that learning opportunities are hard to come by. I’m thinking of changing schools, but people are telling me it’s like this everywhere.

Thanks for reading. Just had to get this off my chest. Been feeling this way for some time and it’s as if I have lost my bearings. I don’t know why I am in the classroom and spending so much time on lesson prep, only to have students mocking me and my work ethics.

I completely understand how disheartening it can be to deal with entitled attitudes from students, especially when they don’t appreciate the effort you put into your teaching. Many students, particularly those from more privileged backgrounds, treat teachers like service providers, expecting fast results without respecting the work behind it. They often misunderstand how teachers are evaluated.

It’s tough when students dismiss your contributions, crediting tuition teachers for their success, and showing blatant disrespect for your teaching materials. Unfortunately, this attitude seems more common across schools today, with many students lacking the gratitude and appreciation that students in less privileged situations often have.

I admire your commitment to real teaching. Setting firm boundaries, maintaining your standards, and focusing on the students who genuinely value education can help you regain some sense of purpose. Stay strong—you’re making a bigger difference than they realize.

Most teachers standard are not that good that you all describe. Personal experience.

Yes indeed.