The number of first-year teachers who leave their job for health reasons has increased 20-fold over the past 10 years, according to a survey by the education ministry. By "health" most of the teachers mean "mental health."

More than 100 teachers left after their first year in 2010, complaining of depression and stress. Only five quit in 2000. If so many teachers feel that much stress, one can imagine how the students in their classes feel.

Of the 8,600 teachers who took a leave of absence for health reasons in 2009, two-thirds cited psychological problems. Others complained of difficulties in human relationships, particularly with so-called monster parents.