Teacher Education and Development Study in Mathematics - IEA

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TEACHER PAY AND STUDENT MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT
Since 2001, the government has distributed merit bonuses of up to 50% to 150% of
one month’s salary, with the intention of fostering competition and increasing teacher
quality. In 2001, however, 90% of the total amount was given to all teachers without
distinction because of difficulties in evaluating their performance. Teacher salaries are
therefore based mainly on years of experience rather than on ability.
Teachers also receive many benefits beyond the basic salary structure. For example,
teachers receive tuition support for their children to attend secondary school, 14 as well
as non-interest loans for their children to attend university and obtain living expenses.
Other notable benefits include a pension fund that ensures a stable financial condition
after 20 years of work, overseas study opportunities, and a possible one year of maternity
leave for women that does not disadvantage them in terms of career salary or promotion
calculations. The amount of teaching time in hours per year is also relatively low for
secondary school teachers in Korea, compared to other OECD countries, and teachers
in general have up to 100 days per year of vacation. Finally, teachers are guaranteed
tenure without contract renewal. Their main reasons for leaving the teaching profession
are thus either retirement at age 62 or personal choice.
Disadvantages associated with the teaching profession in Korea include the fact that
teachers are stuck in a rigid career structure with long periods between promotions
and intense competition for highly coveted administrative positions. Also, teachers
complain of a relatively heavy administrative workload and their class sizes tend to
be larger than those of most OECD countries. Furthermore, despite the traditional
emphasis on education and respect for teachers, the media and public have recently
sported a relatively negative image of the teaching profession, which has apparently
demoralized teachers in general.
On the whole, despite the fact that a teacher with 15 years of experience had a salary
2.69 times the GDP per capita in 2001, teacher salaries were still considered relatively
weak when compared to those of other professionals of a similar academic background
(OECD, 2001). Assuming that educational attainment is controlled for, the figures
suggest that teacher salaries in 2001 were relatively low compared to the salaries of
individuals in private-sector corporations. To give a general idea, a computer operator
in 1999 made 10% to 30% more than an average secondary school teacher, a civil
engineer made 30% more, while a social worker made 30% less (OECD, 2001). In
response to these differentials, the government issued its “Five Year Plan to Upgrade the
Salary of Public Servants,” and stated its intentions to raise teacher salaries to the level of
employees in private firms by 2004. In terms of formal workload, teachers supposedly
enjoy more free hours relative to other professionals. Teachers typically work eight
hours each weekday and four hours on Saturday.
14 In Korea, just over 1% of elementary schools, 24% of middle schools, and 46% of high schools are private. The
government provides subsidies to private secondary schools to support teacher salaries. The government also
has tight standards for tuition fees, the curriculum, teacher recruitment, and the like in private schools. Whether
public or private, middle schools are free (no tuition costs). However, parents must pay fees in both public and
private high schools. The government randomly assigns all entering secondary school students to public and
private schools (rather than on the basis of an entrance examination or some other mechanism). Evidence
suggests that parental spending on private tutoring expenses—generally to prepare students for college entrance
examinations—has been increasing steadily, burdening family budgets. This matter also raises an interesting point
about the extent to which students are actually gaining their mathematics knowledge in middle and secondary
schools.