Articles

Teaching to be a profession of choice in the future and why that's a good thing

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Jan 31, 2015

The Malaysian government recognises that one of the keys to improving student outcomes is teachers. National schools suffer not only from a lack of teachers, but also from a deficient quality of teaching – studies in 2011 showed that only 50% of lessons in schools were effectively delivered.

One of the aims of the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025, therefore, is to transform teaching into a profession of choice. This will be done by enforcing a minimum academic requirement for enrolment into teacher training programmes, implementing a performance-based career progression system, and up-skilling teachers in key areas, amongst others.

There will also be greater opportunities and support for continuous professional development. According to the Blueprint, the Ministry of Education is trying to create a standard of professionalism and teaching mastery in the teaching industry.

It is implied in the Blueprint, not least with comparisons to Finland, that the teaching standards in Malaysian schools, especially national schools, will eventually be on par with international standards.

Reasons to choose a career in teaching:-

1. Enjoy Interpersonal Interaction

Teachers interact with their students, other teachers and community members regularly.

2. Be a Lifelong Learner

You will never learn a topic better than when you start to teach it. Students always ask the most interesting questions, prompting you to dig deeper and learn more about the aspects of science they are most curious about.

3. Have a Vocation, Not a Job

To those with whom you interact most during your day of teaching - the students - you are not an employee but a friend, a mentor and a guide to the world.

4. Experience the Joy of Making a Difference

Teachers foster creativity, develop character, give students lenses with which to view the world and provide students with the skills they need to reach their potential and lead productive lives.

5. Benefit From Variety

Teaching is a job that offers a great deal of variety. Each year, teachers get to work with a new group of students with unique personalities, experiences and ideas. Teachers can introduce new topics into the courses, change the way they teach a particular topic or design new classes to teach to keep things new and exciting each year.