A survey of 1,000 adults, carried out on behalf of The Teaching Council by independent market research company IReach, shows the majority of respondents have a high level of trust in teachers and are satisfied with the way teachers do their work.

They also strongly endorse the valuable role that teachers play in our society and understand the complexity of the role and the skill level required.

Fieldwork was carried out using an online methodology during the period 12-20 November 2009. The 1000 respondents were drawn from an iReach proprietary panel of 15,000 adults built on a nationally representative model. Some 45% of respondents were parents.

Key findings of the survey include the following:

• Of the 12 professions and occupations referenced in the survey, satisfaction levels for teachers ranked second (after nurses). 
• Almost three in every four parents (73%) who responded said that teachers do their jobs either very well or well, while only 6% said that teachers do their jobs badly or very badly.
• Seven in ten respondents (69%) rated teachers as either very trusted or trusted.
• Of the 12 professions and occupations referenced in the survey, levels of trust in teachers were ranked third (after doctors and nurses).
• Teaching was perceived as a profession with either a medium or high level of complexity by almost nine in every ten respondents (87%).
• That was echoed in the response to a separate question in the survey when three in every four respondents (75%) disagreed that “teaching is an easy job”.
• An overwhelming majority (96%) of respondents considered that there is a medium to high level of skill required for the role.
• Almost eight in every ten (77%) respondents agreed that “in general teachers do a good job”.
• A similar proportion (80%) agreed that “teachers play an important role in our society”.
• Work-life balance and the opportunity to work with children and to make a difference are the most commonly perceived attractions that respondents associated with the teaching profession. 
• The challenges of discipline together with class size and insufficient resources are perceived today as the most pressing issues associated with the teaching role. 
• Four in every five respondents considered teaching to be a difficult job and almost the same number (78%) agreed that teachers should be given regular opportunities for upskilling.

Commenting on the results, Teaching Council CEO Áine Lawlor said:

“I welcome the results of this survey, as they affirm the wonderful work that teachers do in preparing young people for life. I am particularly pleased that parents appear to have a greater understanding of the complexity of the role and of the skill level required, and it is likely that this is as a result of their direct experience of and involvement with teachers.”

The Council’s Chairperson Pat McQuaile said:

“This research is the first of its kind to be carried out by the Council and the findings are very encouraging for the Council as it works to promote teaching as a profession and as an attractive career option. The findings will also be encouraging for teachers themselves, and I hope they will have a positive effect on morale in the profession”.

For further details of the survey go to the Research page of the Council’s website www.teachingcouncil.ie