Teachers Clock Over 40 Hours Weekly, Work Extends Into Holidays
Table of Contents
New data reveals the significant time commitment demanded of educators, with many willingly taking on extra hours even during breaks.
Workload Varies by Education Level
Full-time teachers consistently dedicate over 40 hours per week to their profession. According to recent findings, the average weekly working time in primary education is 42 hours. This compares to 40.6 hours for middle school teachers and 41.3 hours for those in comprehensive high schools.
The distribution of time spent on different tasks also varies. School teachers spend the majority of their week - 58.1% – directly interacting with students. Associate professors, however, allocate a larger portion of their time to preparation and grading, with 26.4% dedicated to course preparation and 15.6% to correcting papers.
Demand for Additional Hours
Despite already considerable workloads,a notable percentage of teachers are seeking additional employment opportunities within the education system. At the start of the 2024 school year, 13% of primary school teachers expressed a willingness to work more hours in exchange for increased income. This figure rises to 30% among secondary education teachers.
Work Continues During Breaks
The commitment of teachers extends beyond the traditional school year. On average, teachers report working at least one hour on 33 days during school holidays, blurring the lines between professional and personal time. Younger teachers,under the age of 35,tend to work more during breaks,averaging 38 days of professional activity compared to 28 days for those aged 45 and over. This trend is consistent across both primary and secondary education levels.
