Worsening working conditions for private school teachers: lack of resources, pressure and workload, exposure to violence
Private school teachers report a number of difficulties encountered in the course of their work. For example, while 3 out of 4 private-sector teachers consider that they have the appropriate teaching resources for their work, and 74% of lycée agricole teachers consider that the teaching facilities available to them are satisfactory, only 32% consider that they have sufficient resources and training to deal with students with disabilities.
In addition, 83% report that their workload has increased in recent years (57% even “completely” agree with this statement). This score rises to 89% among teachers with over 10 years’ professional experience.
On average, private school teachers say they spend 16.6 hours a week on tasks other than face-to-face teaching (preparation, correction, meetings, etc.). Added to this is the increased pressure of results, felt by 60% of teachers in general high schools.
Finally, some teachers in private schools do not work in a serene environment, since 36% have been confronted with violence from parents in the last 12 months, 33% with violence from pupils, 17% with violence from the teaching profession and 22% with attacks on secularism.
Worrying levels of recognition, both financial and non-financial
Only 30% of private-sector teachers say they are satisfied with their remuneration, a very low score, and less than half the average for French employees (62%). What’s more, only 22% consider themselves well paid for the work they do, again less than half the national average (39%). While the under-35s are slightly more positive (34%), the 35-49s are the least satisfied (only 17% consider themselves well paid for the work they do).
Despite these particularly difficult working conditions, teachers’ job satisfaction and motivation are barely below the national average
Indeed, 79% of private-sector teachers say they are satisfied with their current work situation, 4 points below the national average for French employees measured in the Ifop norm.
In terms of motivation at work, a majority consider it to be stable (52% vs. 60% for all French employees), and slightly more than the average consider it to be decreasing (39%, +6pts). However, wear and tear is greater among teachers aged over 50, with 46% seeing their motivation decline.
Nevertheless, there are significant consequences for teachers’ mental health and career development
When asked about the impact of their work on their mental health, 28% of teachers consider that it has no impact, 27% that it has a positive impact and 45% that it has a negative impact, i.e. 10 points higher than the national average for French employees (35%).
