The Teacher Motivation Study across Southeast Asia examines the factors that encourage teachers to remain in the profession amid regional and global concerns on teacher shortages. Conducted across 10 Southeast Asian countries, the study explores how purpose, passion for teaching, professional growth, respect, well-being, school environment, compensation, and government policies shape teacher retention. Its findings provide evidence-based insights to help education leaders and policymakers strengthen support systems for teachers and sustain a motivated teaching workforce.
Teacher Motivation in Southeast Asia
Abstract
More Details
Major Findings:
The study gathered 61,450 survey responses, with 53,815 valid responses retained from teachers across Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Findings show that Southeast Asian teachers are generally highly motivated to stay in the profession, with a regional motivation mean score of 7.90. The strongest motivating factors were sense of purpose and fulfillment, teaching as interest and passion, and sense of growth and development. Teachers also identified respect, well-being, school environment, salary and benefits, and government policies as contributing factors to staying in the profession.
Issue Date:
2025
Explore the Publications
Teacher Motivation in Southeast Asia: Current Trends and Insights
All around the world, there has been a shortage of teachers to reach an effective student-teacher ratio, impacting the quality of education.
Sustaining the Teacher Workforce: Evidence on Teacher Motivation Across Southeast Asia
There has been a global shortage of teachers, impacting the quality of education. This challenge prompted SEAMEO INNOTECH to explore teacher motivation to stay in the profession.
INNOTECH Featured
Get the latest insights, innovations, and education updates from SEAMEO INNOTECH — straight to your inbox.