Time to Revamp Education System

Everyone should read this article here: Are Singapore Teachers Overworked

Singapore's education system seriously leaves much to be desired. One of my family members became a teacher starting in January, and she has been overworked, waking up at ungodly hours (5am, anyone?) for her job, which would be fine, if she came home at an appropriate time. But no, she comes home around 5-6pm (12 hour job) and then resumes marking, or doing lesson plans, or worrying about the seniors who make life miserable for junior teachers.

She spends her weekend marking and doing lesson plans as well. And she considers rest, going out for a good lunch (two hours max) before returning home to continue. Even foreign domestic workers get a full off-day (Sunday). Would it be any surprise that teaching leads to quick burnout as well as a high attrition rate? Overseas, the education system is more lax, and yes students are more lax too. But even so, they still produce great thinkers and high scorers. Singapore's education system has been praised by many, but to what good, when both teachers and students are suffering?

I'm glad this has been brought up by someone who wrote to forum. Teachers too deserve some consideration after all the complaining about students lacking their childhood. Teachers face 30x (or the number of students in their class) the load as students, who just need to do their homework, instead of marking everyone's homework.

And yes, fresh graduates always sound so optimistic and mention that current teachers should just be able to prioritise their time properly. I'd like to say that students can do that. A student commented on the article that she sleeps at 2am, but if she did her work immediately, not counting TV or using the Internet, I'm sure she could sleep by 9pm if she wanted. But a teacher works continuously, there is simply no time to prioritise with.

So, even if one has the passion for teaching, how long will that fire burn before being doused by mental and physical strains?