The first years into the job are critical for novice teachers (who are just starting their careers). These years will determine whether a novice teacher will continue pursuing the teaching profession or switching to other jobs. Throughout these years, novice teachers transition from teacher education to first teaching experience, undergo the formation of self-identity as teachers, and improve the most compared to the following years. The work environment, colleagues, and existing policies (from the central to the school level) also influence the novice teachers’ experiences in starting their teaching careers.

RISE Programme in Indonesia conducted a study that recorded the experiences and challenges novice teachers encounter in their first years as teachers. These challenges provide insights for evaluation or input for teacher education stakeholders in formulating policies that support novice teachers to thrive early in their careers.