Background
The study presented in this article was conducted in Cyprus, a small country
situated in the Eastern Mediterranean. The demand for higher education in
Cyprus has recorded a phenomenal increase since the country’s independence
in the 1960s. Currently, more than 60 percent of secondary school leavers
choose to continue their studies (Department of Statistics and Research, 2001).
The most popular field of study among higher education candidates is primary
education, with a large number of students competing every year in order to
secure a place in teacher education schools. The reason for this popularity is
believed to relate to the terms of employment and work incentives offered to
primary school teachers upon their appointment. Primary education graduates
are offered a post immediately after the completion of their studies whereas
secondary teaching posts are available only after a significant waiting period
which can range from a few years to one or two decades. In addition, the
abundant supply of higher education graduates has reduced the number of
available white-collar non-teaching jobs. Thus, primary education teaching is
an attractive option for many secondary school leavers, who value the
employability and security it offers. However, at the same time, there is
evidence of job dissatisfaction among in-service teachers, especially in relation
to the current evaluation and reward system (Pashiardis, 1996). This has not
led to high attrition levels as practically all appointed teachers choose to remain
in their posts due to the lack of more promising career opportunities outside
teaching.