Most teachers (59 per cent) believe that student behaviour has got worse during their teaching career. Of these, the overwhelming majority (86 per cent) blame this drop in standards on the decline of the nuclear family and weaker parenting skills.
These are the findings of a new poll carried out by the Guardian Teacher Network into teachers’ attitudes to working in the UK education system.
Of those saying that student behaviour had become more problematic, 75 per cent cite the growing influence of “dubious and negative role models” for young people, while 68 per cent blame a lack of support in imposing discipline from senior staff.
Teacher bullying is also seen as a problem by 89 per cent of respondents, with 64 per cent of these teachers complaining of bullying from senior leaders, 53 per cent of bullying from parents and 42 per cent of bullying from students.
52 per cent of teachers say they have considered leaving the profession. Excessive government interference (62 per cent), student behaviour (50 per cent) and workload or exhaustion (44 per cent) are described as the main reasons for those considering a change of career.
More than 1,900 teachers responded to the Guardian Teacher Network poll, conducted in August and September this year.
