Fewer than a fifth of teachers would choose the classroom over a new career opportunity, according to a recent survey looking into educators’ challenges, concerns and dissatisfaction.

Contact with students was given as the main reason for staying in teaching by nearly half of them, while working hours and the school environment was chosen by at least one of every five.

The data is quoted in a study compiled by Michelle Attard Tonna and James Calleja from the Department of Leadership for Learning and Innovation in the Faculty of Education.

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The study, carried out from February to July last year, looked into the professional lives and career paths of educators in Malta, focusing on their views at a time when the profession appears to be undermined and weakened.

The data was collected from 1,019 respondents, including 755 teachers, in an online survey.

Asked whether they would take on a new career opportunity if it were offered, 134 of the teachers replied in the negative, meaning 18 per cent preferred to remain in the classroom. Two-fifths would take up the opportunity, and 43 per cent were undecided.

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