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Four in Ten Romanian Teachers Consider Quitting Amid High Stress
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด Romania /Culture & Society

Four in Ten Romanian Teachers Consider Quitting Amid High Stress

From Adevฤƒrul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A recent survey in Romania reveals that 38% of teachers frequently consider leaving the profession due to high stress levels, exceeding even those of family doctors.
  • The study indicates that teachers aged 30-44, those in Bucharest, and those teaching at the middle school level are more likely to consider quitting.
  • Despite the stress, the study also found that teachers generally still love their profession, suggesting a disconnect between passion and the demanding realities of the job.

Romanian teachers continue to love their profession, but a growing number feel unable to bear its burdens. A national study of over 1,500 educators shows that 38% of teachers frequently consider leaving their jobs. The "Barometer of Teacher Well-being" indicates stress levels are higher than those experienced by family doctors.

The intention to quit is more pronounced among teachers aged 30 to 44 (44%), those in Bucharest (48%), and those teaching middle school (43%). While well-being doesn't vary significantly by age, it differs by teaching level. Kindergarten teachers report the lowest stress (39% feel well), compared to middle school (27%) and high school (28%) teachers.

The image of teachers finishing work at noon and enjoying long holidays is far from the reality in Romanian schools. Behind classroom doors, educators who believe in the role of education are increasingly feeling the pressure of a system burdened by bureaucracy, responsibilities, and a lack of recognition. This is according to the "Barometer of Teacher Well-being," one of the most extensive sociological studies on teaching staff in Romania.

The intention to quit is more pronounced among teachers aged 30 to 44 (44%), those in Bucharest (48%), and those teaching middle school (43%).

โ€” StudyDetails on which demographics are most likely to consider leaving the teaching profession.

The study, conducted in spring with a national sample of 1,518 educators, provides a detailed picture of a profession under strain. For comparative context, data was also collected from 305 family doctors and 1,078 urban working adults. Surprisingly, over half of the surveyed teachers (51%) reported frequent stressful situations in the past four weeks, compared to 45% of family doctors and only 26% of the urban working population. This significant difference suggests that the pressure on teachers is no longer an inherent characteristic of the profession but a factor affecting long-term health and performance.

Paradoxically, the study also found that teachers have not lost their motivation. Despite the stress, the continued high interest in the profession, evidenced by over 30,000 candidates taking the "Titularizare" exam annually, suggests a deep-seated passion that clashes with the challenging work environment.

More than half of the teachers surveyed (51%) say they have frequently encountered stressful situations in the last four weeks.

โ€” StudyComparing the stress levels of teachers to those of family doctors and the general urban working population.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Adevฤƒrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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