The Social Status of Teaching Profession: A Phenomenological Study

Year 2019, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 183 - 203, 31.08.2019

Özgül Mutluer Sedat Yüksel

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the perception
of the social status of the teaching profession in Turkey and what the factors are shaping this
perception in the past and present, based on the opinions of teachers. This
study is a qualitative research in phenomenological pattern. The data were
obtained by semi-structured interviews with 26 teachers, 16 of which were
retired. The findings of the study reveal that teachers have negative opinions
about the social status of the teaching profession. Teachers base their views
on a variety of professional and non-professional factors. The most effective
factors are financial gain, relations between the Ministry of National
Education and teachers, teacher training system and the employment of teachers.

Keywords

Social status, teacher, teaching, profession

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