Finnish teachers in lower secondary education enjoy their work, but they are experiencing more stress than before, according to the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS).
In Finland, the share of teachers considering a career change has increased, although it remains similar to the OECD average, said the Ministry of Education and Culture in a press release, referring to the survey published on Tuesday.
The TALIS covered 53 countries and territories. In Finland, 4,300 lower secondary school teachers and 226 principals participated in the survey. This was Finland’s third time participating in TALIS.
The study provided broad insights into teachers’ views on wellbeing at work, working conditions, school leadership, and the status of the teaching profession.
It also examined teaching practices and teachers’ perspectives on professional development.
Most Finnish lower secondary teachers are satisfied with their work: 89 per cent agreed that the advantages of being a teacher outweighed the disadvantages. The OECD average for this indicator is 74 per cent.
However, job satisfaction among Finnish teachers has declined in recent years. Between 2013 and 2024, satisfaction dropped from 91 per cent to 85 per cent. This places Finland below the OECD average of 89 per cent.
The growing diversity in schools and the increasing need for student support are reflected in teachers’ professional learning needs. Areas for development included using artificial intelligence, teaching students with special education needs, supporting students’ social and emotional development, and teaching in multicultural or multilingual settings.
Collaboration among teachers has increased. For example, team teaching grew by 15 percentage points between 2013 and 2024. Teachers reported that students and teachers generally get along well. Compared to their OECD peers, Finnish teachers more often felt that parents and guardians valued their work.
- Finnish
- Schoolteachers
- Face
- More stress
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
