Over 30% of Teachers Considering Career Change Due to Workload Stress

Understanding Teachers' Career Aspirations and Challenges

A recent survey conducted by Dragon Educational Revolution sheds light on the aspirations and challenges faced by teachers across Japan. The survey, aimed at primary, middle, and high school educators, revealed that over 30% of teachers are contemplating a career change. This significant percentage highlights the pressing issues within the education sector, particularly the overwhelming workload that educators must manage daily.

Survey Insights

The survey, carried out from May 12 to 15, 2025, included 322 teachers of diverse age groups (20s to 50s) and both public and private institutions. One of the most startling findings was that more than half of the respondents (51.2%) expressed a lack of confidence in their ability to instruct students effectively. This sense of insecurity among educators is concerning, as it may impact their teaching quality and the overall educational experience for students.

When asked about the challenges they face in student guidance, the top three difficulties identified were:
1. Building and managing relationships with parents (53.7%)
2. Effective disciplining and correcting of students (50.3%)
3. Motivating students (43.5%)

These results underscore the complex dynamics between teachers, students, and parents, indicating a need for ongoing support and development for educators. Teachers also indicated that the most beneficial resources for their current teaching methods were advice from colleagues and senior educators (72.7%), as opposed to traditional training or educational materials.

The Weight of Workload

The survey further revealed that while half of the respondents are eager to continue their teaching careers, a significant portion (over 30%) expressed a desire to leave the profession. The main reasons cited for this desire to change careers include the excessive burden of responsibilities, particularly related to homeroom duties and club activities (42%), as well as long working hours that encroach on personal time (34%). The survey also indicated a notable level of stress in handling parental complaints and feeling that remuneration does not reflect their workload, which points to systemic issues in the education system.