Teaching profession in Korea facing crisis

It is estimated that the dropout rate of students at teacher training colleges has increased to a record level.

According to the latest data from the Korea Educational Development Institute, 4.2% of students dropped out of teacher training schools in 2024, equivalent to one in 25 students. This is the second consecutive year that the rate has peaked, reflecting a serious decline in the attractiveness of the teaching profession among young people.

Just a few years ago, teacher training colleges were still among the most competitive. However, with changing social values and increasingly harsh working conditions, becoming a teacher is no longer considered a stable choice. From almost zero in 2018, the dropout rate has increased over the years and reached 4% in 2023 and 2024.

Prestigious training institutions have also been hit hard. In 2024, Seoul National University of Education recorded 103 students dropping out, while the figure at Gyeongin National University of Education was 105. These statistics reflect widespread discouragement among teacher training students, who are expected to become the backbone of national education.

The reason for the wave of school dropouts comes not only from the pressure of studying, but also from the bleak picture of the current teaching profession. Stress from parents, high workload and lack of mechanisms to protect their authority make many teachers feel they are treated more like “service employees” than educators.

A survey of more than 8,000 teachers found that nearly 60% were considering leaving the profession within a year. Of those, 77.5% said parental complaints and interference with authority were the reasons.

Not only psychological pressure, economic factors are also important causes. The average salary of teachers in Korea is significantly lower than that of professionals in large enterprises, while opportunities for promotion and income increase are limited. This makes many good students choose to switch to more promising fields such as technology, finance or green technology areas.

In addition, the number of new vacancies is decreasing due to the persistently low birth rate. The teacher certification exam has become more intense as the number of candidates far exceeds the quota. Many students who meet the standards are not assigned to schools, leading to the situation of "passing but unemployed".

In that context, experts warn that without urgent measures to improve working conditions, strengthen legal protection and restore respect for teachers, South Korea may face a serious shortage of teaching staff in the near future.

According to Jung Hye-young, a spokeswoman for the Seoul Teachers’ Union, graduates of teacher training colleges have almost only one career option: teaching. When that path becomes unclear, it is understandable that they give up their dream of standing in front of the classroom.

According to The Korea Times

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