Factors Influencing Teaching Choice in a Turkish Context

• In Event: Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice): International Perspectives

Abstract

Objectives & Framework: Career changers, the shortage of teachers, the ageing teacher force and problems in attracting well-qualified people to teaching are the main current challenges to the teaching career in developed countries. Apart from attracting well-qualified students, Turkey does not have the aforementioned problems. Many people graduate from teaching departments each year, although there are not enough spaces available in state schools in order to employ these new teachers. Many high school graduates choose the teaching profession, although they are aware that there is a high possibility for them not to be employed. At this point, the political solutions such as creating different job opportunities for teacher candidates, and employing more people as teachers, seem obvious. Current student teachers who have selected this career under these conditions need to be followed by a longitudinal project, since they will shape next generations of the country. The present study presents first results of this project.

Methods & Data. The sample included 1,577 student teachers from 23 teaching departments at three universities in Turkey. The FIT-Choice questionnaire (Watt & Richardson, 2007) was administered at the beginning of their teacher education.

Results. Turkish participants identified making a social contribution, contributing to social equity, working with children and helping to shape the future of the next generation, as the highest rated motivations. In addition to these social utility values, job security, one of the personal utility values, was another top theme. Considering most of the participants came from families having low socioeconomic background, we can say that they seek to make a “social change” in their country by providing a better education for next generations. In addition, in a society like Turkey where there is great emphasis placed on collective rather than individual good, it is not surprising that those seeking a career in teaching would place great emphasis on the social utility values and hope to make a contribution to the future of the country. We also noticed a relationship between job security and time for family, reflecting the importance of family and the employment circumstances in the Turkish context.

Significance. The developing countries need a well-qualified workforce to increase their development speed. Therefore, the teachers who will educate this workforce gain much importance. However, due to financial problems, these countries cannot invest enough money to employ all qualified teachers in the profession. The present study displays possible influences of this dilemma and thus has potential to inform better policies regarding teacher training in Turkey and similar contexts.

Authors

• Ahmet Kilinc, Ahi Evran Üniversitesi

• Helen M.G. Watt, Monash University

• Paul W. Richardson, Monash University