Teachers in China command the highest level of respect among the people they serve, according to a comparison of what populations think about the world's teachers that was compiled by a London-based global education charity.
The Global Teacher Status Index 2018, which was published by the Varkey Foundation, is said to be the most comprehensive study ever completed of the level of respect afforded to the world's teachers.
Teacher status is higher in China than in any of the other 34 countries polled, with 81 percent of respondents in China saying they believe pupils respect their teachers. The global average is 36 percent.
"Five years after the first Global Teacher Status Index in 2013, we can see, once again, China has come top, demonstrating just how much respect the Chinese public has for teachers," said Vikas Pota, chairman of the Varkey Foundation. "This is crucial because, as the Global Teacher Status Index 2018 shows for the very first time, there is a direct link between teacher status and pupil performance as measured by PISA."
The study found that, in Europe and Latin America, there was more pessimism about the level of respect students have for their teachers in comparison to Asia and the Middle East. In most European countries, most respondents thought pupils were more likely to disrespect teachers than respect them.
Brazil was ranked the lowest in the poll, with Israel and Italy also in the lower part of the table.
The survey also found that half of Chinese families are likely to encourage their children to become teachers.
People in China, Russia, and Malaysia, said doctors are the closest professions to teachers. While other countries said teachers were on a par with nurses, librarians, and social workers.
However, in the Chinese mainland, teachers actually earn less than people perceive. Respondents thought secondary school teachers earned around $19,500 a year, but salaries are around $12,000. Some respondents said a fair wage for a starting secondary school teacher was $21,500.
"Raising teacher status is vital to attracting good teachers and keeping them in the profession. It is teachers, after all, who will shape the next generation and they hold our futures in their hands," said Pota.
FAQs
According to an extensive study conducted by the University of Sussex in the U.K. that examined public attitudes towards professional status, trust, pay and the desirability of teaching as a career, China topped the charts leaving many European nations and the U.S. far behind.
Are teachers highly respected in China? ›
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Honoring teachers and their intelligence has always been a tradition in China. Since ancient times, teachers have been respected by people as messengers of wisdom.
In which country are teachers most respected? ›
In countries like China and Ghana, society sees teachers as highly competent and, at the same time, they are viewed with great respect. The opposite is true in countries like Peru, Greece, and Israel.
How are teachers perceived in China? ›
Teachers in China have the highest levels of public respect, according to an international study comparing their status in 21 countries. Teachers in the UK were in 10th place in the global index which was compiled by the University of Sussex professor Peter Dolton.
Who is the most respected teacher from China? ›
Confucius was born in 551 BCE, at a time of great war and famine in China. As he observed the suffering around him, he realized the best way to transform a society was to shift people's thinking—to move them from callousness to compassion.
What country treats teachers the best? ›
China, the country where teachers have the highest status, compared them to doctors. In general, teachers in Eastern countries had higher status than in Western countries, including the United States.
What cultures respect teachers? ›
China and Malaysia have the highest score in the 2018 index, 100 and 93 respectively. Taiwan - the only other country that places teachers on the same level as doctors - is third. Russia and Indonesia round out the top five.
What are the top 5 countries for teachers? ›
If you are planning on being a full-time teacher abroad, here you have the best countries to work:
- Luxembourg. You don't have to travel far to find a good job. ...
- Switzerland. This country occupies second place on our list. ...
- South Korea. ...
- Japan. ...
- Arab Emirates.
According to a study done at the National Economic and Social Research in collaboration with the Varkey foundation, Asian countries tend to hold teachers in much higher regard when compared to other parts of the world.
Where are the happiest teachers? ›
Best States for Teachers
- New York. New York's overall score of 60.86 makes it the best state in the U.S. for teachers, ranking third for Opportunity & Competition and third for Academic & Work Environment. ...
- Utah. ...
- Washington. ...
- Pennsylvania. ...
- New Jersey. ...
- Virginia. ...
- Maryland. ...
- Delaware.
From elementary school through high school, Chinese students are not allowed to use calculators. Chinese education focuses on strictness and precision, which improves retention. American education focuses on improving student assuredness, self-determination, and independence, which aids in comprehensive thinking.
How do Chinese address their teachers? ›
Teachers in China are addressed as 老师 (lǎo shī) – teacher. For example, instead of saying “Mr. Wang”, you should say: “王老师 (wáng lǎo shī) – Teacher Wang”.
Does China care about education? ›
The educational system in China is a major vehicle for both inculcating values in and teaching needed skills to its people. Traditional Chinese culture attached great importance to education as a means of enhancing a person's worth and career.
What is the most respected profession in China? ›
Top 10 Most Popular and Most Stable Occupation in future in China:
- Civil servants.
- Lawyer.
- Teachers.
- Doctor.
- Occupation planners.
- Finance.
- Community Manager.
- Science and technology product R & D personnel.
Education Rankings by Country 2023
| Country | Rank (2021) | Rank (2020) |
|---|
| China | 22 | 24 |
| Russia | 23 | 21 |
| Israel | 24 | 25 |
| Portugal | 25 | 20 |
73 more rowsGenerally speaking, primary teachers should have at least graduated from the secondary normal schools or senior secondary schools; junior secondary schoolteachers should at least have a teaching diploma from the junior teachers colleges, while senior secondary teachers should be graduates of the normal universities and ...
How are teachers viewed in Japan? ›
Because Japanese culture views the school as a moral community and a basic training ground for becoming a good citizen, teachers have broad responsibility for moral education and character development and for instilling fundamental Japanese values, attitudes, and "living habits" in students at all levels.
Which country has the best teacher to student ratio? ›
The average for 2018 based on 86 countries was 24.26 students per teacher. The highest value was in Rwanda: 59.51 students per teacher and the lowest value was in San Marino: 6.93 students per teacher. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2019. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.
Where is the best place for teachers USA? ›
New York is the best place in America to be a teacher, according to a new report published Monday. The report from the personal finance website WalletHub compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along 24 metrics around opportunity, competition and academic and work environment.
What is the teacher in Chinese culture? ›
In Chinese culture, one's teacher for a day is one's father for life. China has a long, tradition of emphasising teacher ethics and regarding teachers as “moral guardians” (Paine, 1995). Ancient Chinese culture held very high expectations of teachers' character and conduct.
