Mathematics recent graduates who are no longer teachers: reflections on teaching condition and profession

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study about Mathematics recent graduates from the Federal University of São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The investigation sought to identify and analyze the difficulties experienced by these professionals while they were teachers in basic education. In the cases when they were no longer teaching, I sought to identify and analyze also the reasons why those undergraduates made such a decision. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire with open and multiple-choice questions that was emailed to 114 teachers from the mentioned university until July of 2012. Out of the total questionnaires sent, 89 responded. There was a significant amount of undergraduates with a license to teach (53%) who were not practicing or who were not willing to practice the teaching profession. The resulting data may help understand the disturbing deficit of teachers to work in the public basic education in Brazil. Results have shown that the greatest difficulties found by the practicing teachers participating in this study are associated with students and their families, and are the consequence of lack of interest and indiscipline expressed by pupils. The major cause for abandoning the teaching profession, among those herein researched, is due to the feeling of professionally undervalued as well as to the working conditions in the schools. Based on the results, reflections are made about the challenges faced by beginning teachers about the education, profession and teaching conditions in Brazil.