A Comparative Study of the Working Conditions of Science Teachers

Abstract

Effectiveness of instruction in science education largely depends on whether the teachers are satisfied with their working conditions. Consequently, administrative measures aimed at improving working conditions for teachers will also improve the quality of science teaching. The students of teachers, who have the same experience, similar qualifications and some other characteristics, achieve different learning outcomes. We can specify a set of working conditions that influence the effectiveness of science training and the quality of educational programs. In this study, science teachers are teachers of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, Ecology, and other related subjects. Accordingly, the article is aimed at analyzing the indicators of teacher working conditions in science education and developing a system of organizational and managerial measures to support the work of science teachers on the basis of these indicators. The research methods are data collection by means of a questionnaire survey of teachers and other school staff, analysis of the characteristics of science teaching, modeling and statistical analysis of the research data. The study was conducted in 2019-2020; 1,146 employees of secondary schools of European Russia were involved in the study, including 310 science teachers. The author of the article has arrived at the following conclusion: the most significant motives in choosing the profession of a science teacher are the possibility to influence the child development and to participate in solving social problems; participation in seminars and meetings with the education authorities and collaboration with other young teachers are the most common measures for professional adaptation of novice science teachers; more than half of the school teachers, according to science teachers, are ready for change and innovation and, and they provide support in the process of implementing innovations. The teachers report that the most common sources of stress are a feeling of responsibility for students' learning achievements, administrative work, and classroom preparation. The theoretical significance of the study lies in its contribution to deeper scientific understanding of the current working conditions of teachers in science education that influence the effectiveness of instruction and the quality of educational programs. The findings of the research can help in developing a set of organizational and managerial measures for supporting science teachers in their work taking into account the specifics of science education.