Crisis in the Teaching Profession in Colombia: Perceptions of Applicants to Other Professions

Abstract

The quality of teaching has been a matter of debate, regardless of the degree of development of the countries in question. The recruitment and maintenance of potential teachers has become a problem that affects economic policies because of their implications with respect to social capital. The matter has been studied from different perspectives, by questioning different interest groups, as well as the relevance of prioritizing coverage or quality. The purpose of this document is to identify the preferences and perceptions of students who did not opt for a teaching career, but who can give an account of the appreciation of that profession, particularly those who are starting their professional life. As for the methodology, a descriptive and multidimensional scaling analysis is used to identify the preferences and perceptions of the respondents who are first-year students majoring in fields other than education at a university accredited by the Ministry of National Education in Colombia. The research confirms that concern about personal fulfillment and economic-labor factors affects decisions on whether or not to pursue a career in the teaching profession. This leads to strategic recommendations for policy-makers on the need to evaluate both economic and social aspects in order to attract students to a teaching career and, at the same time, to ensure that those who choose this profession continue in it and become personal and labor referents.