In Brazil, teachers lose, on average, 21% of their class time trying to maintain order in the classroom. In other words, for every five hours of class, one hour is lost trying to get the students' attention. The data comes from 2024 International Survey on Teaching and Learning (TALIS), released this week by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The study, based on interviews with teachers and principals—primarily from the final years of elementary school (6th through 9th grade)—compares education systems in 53 countries.

While in Brazil, teachers spend 21% of class time on discipline-related issues, the average in OECD member countries is lower, at 15%. The study shows that there was a 2 percentage point increase between 2018 and 2024, both in Brazil and among OECD member countries.

According to the survey, nearly half of Brazilian teachers (44%) report being frequently interrupted by students. This figure is more than double the OECD average, which stands at 18%. 

With regard to day-to-day stress, Brazilian teachers’ reports are similar to those of teachers in OECD countries: 21% say their work is very stressful, while the OECD average is 19%. This figure increased by 7 percentage points in Brazil compared to 2018.

In terms of impacts on mental and physical health, Brazil exceeds the average of the other countries surveyed. Among Brazilian teachers, 16% say that teaching has a negative impact on their mental health, while the average among OECD countries is 10%. Physical health, meanwhile, is significantly affected by the profession, according to 12% of Brazilian teachers, while the OECD average is 8%.

Appraisal

The study highlights that valuing teachers is important for retaining good professionals in the field. In Brazil, however, only 14% believe that teachers are valued in society. This percentage has increased by 3 percentage points since 2018, but remains below the OECD average of 22%.

The same percentage (14%) believes that teachers are valued in the country's public policies, an increase of 8 percentage points compared to the last study. The OECD average is 16%. 

Despite these circumstances, the majority of Brazilian teachers—87%—say they are generally satisfied with their work, the same level recorded in 2018. This figure is close to the OECD average of 89%. In addition, for more than half—58%—teaching was their first career choice—a percentage similar to the OECD average and the same as in 2018.

This is the 4th edition of Talis, which was conducted in Brazil between June and July 2024. The studies on the Brazilian context were conducted by the Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Inep), in collaboration with the departments of education of the 27 states. 

Article originally published by Agência Brasil.

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