Where are all the physics teachers?

Comments (10)

• 1 andreicio Jul 3, 2008 3:22 PM

  Britain is a wellfare paradise. Historically, no wellfare paradise ever advances sciences. It is an inconvenient truth but when you have parties like the labour party, elected from among the bottomfeeders for the bottomfeeders, higher order ideas like sciences are not a priority.

• 2 Michael Collins Jul 4, 2008 5:47 AM

  I have spent 35 years teaching Physics in Australian high schools and in Technical and Further Education (TAFE). I suggest that Australian schools would be lucky to have 10% of its Physics Teachers possessing at least a B.Sc. with a Physics major. An educational authority accepting anything less than a Physics graduate teaching Physics to years 11 and 12 (A levels) is accepting and promoting mediocrity.

• 3 Dr.M.H.Barakat Jul 4, 2008 1:06 PM

  Dear sir
  Since 2001 up to now the world is meting random processes in most fields of life. The economic situation of people on the earth is destroyed by US and UK policies and other cooperated countries. The real problem is the stupidity of political leaders in most of worlds particularly in US and UK and the selfishness and foolishness of the scientists who help the stupid political leaders. I do believe strongly that the economics of the world and education in the world and all other activities will be improved so much if all the scientists in the world refused to work in any military program and restricted their activities in the fields of civilian needs. So the reduction of physics teachers not only in england became a phenomenon but everywhere. I suggest on IOP as a member to make a conference that encourage scientists to refuse any work in military direction because that will never ever help the people in the world to live happy. We have energy resources, we have water, lands and all what can make the prices low and the food enough for the population of the earth. Please let us cooperate and take that seriously otherwise we will loose not only physics teachers but our value on the earth as scientists who have a massage compared to the prophets ones. Difficulties in the life are created by stupid leaders to control simple people and the money resources in the world and alas we as scientists are helping them to achieve their aims not because we love working in science but because we need to improve our financial situation which reflects the truth that we don't deserve to be called scientists. We have to think very seriously to stop research in some fields and concentrate on human needs. I know that my idea seems trivial but it is the key for solution of most of the problems which we have. Thank you and I wish I can find some scientists who support my idea and make an anti-politician society of scientists.

• 4 Jimbo Jul 4, 2008 5:04 PM

  This is particularly sad for the UK as they seem to produce many bright scientists and engineers, compared to the US and most parts of the world.
  I have taught college physics over much of the US for 10 years, and left the `profession' in disgust just a few years ago.
  Even students at dedicated engineering schools, much less run-of-the-mill 4-yr. colleges, have virtually no curiosity about physics, pathetic math skills, and hope to be awared a `B' for substandard performance, or just escape with a `C'.
  Worst still is for physics instructors who learn they must become a `cop', to maintain order in a classroom. This, and a lackluster student body, I am convinced, is why most instructors chose not to make a career of teaching physics. It is a persistent and insoluble problem, one which has not nor will not improve with money or time.

• 5 John Daicopoulos Jul 5, 2008 1:42 PM

  It appears (to me) that the number of fully qualified physics teachers is on the decline worldwide given the media and academic reports; that seems to be similar for mathematics. I know there are likely numerous reasons for this decline, but one I would suggest gets missed is the "easing" of the rigour in our curriculum.

  In trying to make physics (and science in general) fun we have bored our students so much they are no longer interested in it after high school. By all means make physics engaging and active, but engaging should not mean easier. Enlightenment is not the same as entertainment.

  We assume everyone can be a scientist, and so we tend to teach science-for-fun courses right through to the senior grades. This approach has failed and it is time to return to a more rigorous curriculum. Sadly this will prove very difficult given the current supply of qualified physics teachers.

  As a rare Honours physics graduate with a second degree in teaching, I (recently) left teaching physics after 17 happy years, not due to these curricular concerns, but they are a cause of concern for my possible return to the profession.

  Now that I am the Editor for Australian Physics I hear more and more how this situation is affecting our (global) pool of qualified physics teachers.

• 6 Dr . Asma Farooqui Jul 6, 2008 1:19 PM

  If somebody asks me ewhere are all the physicsts. They are in the kitchen. After atating high qualifications you can not teach in schools utyou can't work in th e labs as you hacve babies to look after . so u end up in the kitchen and all your talent goes waste . Government is not concerned about waste of resources.

• 7 Adaigbe Kingsley David Osebor Jul 8, 2008 1:16 PM

  I am interested in teaching in England!!, On a more serious note, I have being teaching physics in a private secondary School for the past seven years and I am planing to leave for further studies after another three years reason to increase my take home pay. currently a colleague who is a graduate of physics is teaching integrated science while another graduate of Geology is teaching physics. I am a graduate of Physics, Teachers generally are not happy and not well paid in my country and that is why they are on strick now to demand teachers salary structure in Nigeria.
  If teacher are paid well more physics graduate will take up jobs as physics teacher rather than banker as it is,currently.

• 8 vb Jul 13, 2008 6:08 PM

  Adaigbe Osebor - there is an urgent vacancy at BIS-Lagos for an A-level physics teacher.

• 9 William R. Folks, Ph.D. Sep 15, 2008 2:54 PM

  I possess a Ph.D. in physics and work in industry in the US. I am considering a career transition, and would be willing to accept a position in another English speaking country. If you have any advice or are aware available positions, please email me.

  Regards,

  williamfolks@netscape.net

• 10 g Feb 9, 2009 11:01 PM

  I'm trying to do that students assoicates scheme to find out if teaching is for me (I'm 3rd yr BSc phys). the gov pays out 600 pounds on completion, and 300 to the school, which isnt the only reason I'm interested, although it is a motivating factor.

  Well, every single school so far have been totally unsupportive of the scheme, and I cant find a place! I might be interested in teaching in this subject, yet the very people I should be getting support off are not helping at all.

  Maybe the gov should have worked much more closely with the schools to make sure they are willing to take people on the scheme! Maybe they should consider paying the 300 (or more) directly to the member of school staff who acts as mentor (usually head of depatment).

  If I can't find a place on the scheme (an opportunity to try teaching before embarking on a PGCE), then it wont be feasible for me to consider teaching unfortunatly.