Poll shows local respondents feel SG teachers 'overpaid'

[BuiKia]

For a job that does not require them to risk their life and can scold student everyday, they are paid pretty well.

SINGAPOREAN teachers are the highest paid among 21 countries according to a study, earning an average annual salary of US$45,755, ahead of the United States' US$44,917 and South Korea's US$43,874.

Respondents in Singapore felt that local teachers were overpaid by about $5,000 annually - almost 9.6 per cent higher than what they perceived to be fair.

This was in contrast to most of the other countries surveyed for the Varkey GEMS Foundation 2013 Global Teacher Status Index, in which they assessed actual wages to be below perceived fair wages. In fact, respondents from 95 per cent of the surveyed countries thought teachers were earning less than what they ought to.

In the Teacher Status Index - which measures cultural, political and socio-economic factors, such as general attitudes towards the education system and perception of teachers in each country - Singapore was ranked seventh, surpassing the US (No 9), the United Kingdom (No 10) and Finland (No 13). China topped the rankings, followed by Greece, Turkey and then South Korea.

Singapore came in third with regard to confidence and trust in the national education system. Finland took top position, followed by Switzerland.

In terms of trust in teachers to deliver a good education, Singapore tied with Portugal at No 6. Finland and Brazil topped the table, while Israel and Japan were at the bottom.

Four in five respondents in Singapore said they would encourage their children to become teachers - making the Republic the fifth-ranked country to view teaching as a profession their children should aspire to. China topped the rankings.

China is also the only country where respondents likened the social status of teachers to that of doctors, as shown by a question that seeks to determine the social standing of teachers.

In two-thirds of the countries polled, including Singapore, teachers were regarded as similar to social workers, while respondents in the US, Brazil, France and Turkey mostly likened teachers to librarians, among other graduate-level jobs.

"Singapore's pay sits teachers very highly," said Peter Dolton, co-writer of the Global Teacher Status Index.

"But what our results show is that this does not necessarily mean teachers are highly respected," he added.

While this may be true for most countries surveyed, it is not the case for Singapore as some 45 per cent of respondents believe students have respect for teachers here.

 

[Leongsam]

Most Singaporeans are overpaid an exception being the cabinet ministers who could earn much more if they were in the private sector.

 

[johnny333]

For a job that does not require them to risk their life and can scold student everyday, they are paid pretty well.

Don't know if they are overpaid but I get the impression I get is that they are having problems attracting the young into this field.
If pay is that good than we should see people flocking into the teaching profession instead many locals becoming taxi drivers. You also hear of the gov't hiring teachers from Israel, Australia, China, ....

 

[BuiKia]

People dun join because of the job security. The principals are very powerful in Schools and they decide your future and even your bonus. I have seen my teacher friends sucking up to the principal like a dog and agreeing to everything the principal say no matter how stupid.

It is a system fault that is not attracting teachers, not the pay or the nature of the job.

Don't know if they are overpaid but I get the impression I get is that they are having problems attracting the young into this field.
If pay is that good than we should see people flocking into the teaching profession instead many locals becoming taxi drivers. You also hear of the gov't hiring teachers from Israel, Australia, China, ....

 

[MountainChicken]

Don't know if they are overpaid but I get the impression I get is that they are having problems attracting the young into this field.
If pay is that good than we should see people flocking into the teaching profession instead many locals becoming taxi drivers. You also hear of the gov't hiring teachers from Israel, Australia, China, ....

I recalled one of my friends who is a teacher just bought a new BMW recently given the hefty price.

 

[B Man]

Have you seen any salary polls which people say that anyone is underpaid?

Unless its for themselves, most people will gladly say that other person is over paid even if its paid for flipping burgers at McD.

For a job that does not require them to risk their life and can scold student everyday, they are paid pretty well.

 

[Dark Knight]

Just like any firms, teaching environment in schools can also be quite political.
You see this happening from primary schools to universities.

The principal is the "big shot" and he/she is usually the one who always stir shit just to be on the ranking list for his/her school.

 

[BuiKia]

For popular schools, even the Director of School will give face to the Principal.

Just like any firms, teaching environment in schools can also be quite political.
You see this happening from primary schools to universities.

The principal is the "big shot" and he/she is usually the one who always stir shit just to be on the ranking list for his/her school.

 

[johnny333]

I recalled one of my friends who is a teacher just bought a new BMW recently given the hefty price.

I know someone who is a part-time teacher at one of the branded schools. She inherited her multi-millions from her parents & has done well by buying & selling condos part-time i.e. flipping. She even flipped one of those Sentosa properties. She doesn't really have to work or flip properties because the husband is doing well working for a MNC but hey people need to occupy themselves

She doesn't drive a BMW & the family lives in a HDB unit She's not extravagant or showy. If you see her walking around you wouldn't know that she is loaded.

 

[looneytan]

I recalled one of my friends who is a teacher just bought a new BMW recently given the hefty price.

must be me la, but don't you remember I kena toto first prize