Actual status of task performance and need for system improvement for nutrition teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the status of task performance and working conditions for nutrition teachers in order to determine new ways to improve the current nutrition system and increase job satisfaction among teachers. From the 14th of July to the 26th of September 2014, email questionnaires were distributed to and collected from 311 nutrition teachers nationwide, including teachers at elementary, middle, and high schools. The results are as follows. First, over 90% of nutrition teachers indicated that their work was demanding. In particular, 63.5% of nutrition teachers at high schools worked more than 40 hours of overtime per month. Second, 73% of nutrition teachers provided nutrition education, but the percentage significantly decreased at upper levels of school. Nutrition teachers had difficulties teaching due to the absence of standard teaching materials and a lack of time due to excessive work. Teachers also wanted 30 hours of job training once per year during their vacation organized by the regional Department of Education. Third, around half of the nutrition teachers considered that promotion and transfer professions are necessary for systematic foodservice and education. An additional allowance was demanded by nutrition teachers at schools that serve two or three meals per day. Considering the results, alleviating the workload of nutrition teachers and more time preparing nutrition classes for student are required. Fair evaluation of job performance that considers work conditions of nutrition teachers should be considered.