Factors That Influence Teacher Attrition In Secondary Schools In The Omusati Education Region, Namibia

ABSTRACT

High teacher turnover is a common problem in the Ministry of Education in all schools around Namibia, specifically in the Omusati Education Region. This research sought to highlight factors that influence teacher attrition in secondary schools in the Omusati Education Region. The research revealed that though hundreds of teachers were graduating from universities and colleges around the country each year, schools have never had enough qualified teachers. A high teacher turnover is also very costly to the government in terms of recruitment and selection costs, which have to be met in continuously filling vacant posts. A high turnover of teachers creates instability in the school system and thereby affecting the performance of learners. The study revealed different factors, which influenced the level of teacher attrition, such as the lack of administrative support for teachers, poor remuneration, death and illness-induced attrition. The review of literature also revealed different strategies that have been used elsewhere in dealing with the problem of high turnover in schools. The strategies included strengthening administrative structures in schools, reviewing the remuneration of teachers, improving the recruitment of teachers and improving the general working conditions of teachers. The study used the triangulated research methodology in the data-gathering process, which involved questionnaires that were given out to teachers and interviews held with Circuit Inspectors. Sixty-four questionnaires were recovered and four interviews were held with Circuit Inspectors. The field and theoretical research findings revealed that interpersonal relations had a limited influence on teacher attrition. Advancement factors were found to have significant influence on the rate of attrition, as teachers left the profession because of limited career advancement opportunities within the teaching profession. One of the major causes of teacher attrition was also found to be unfavourable working conditions such as heavy teaching loads, inadequate resources, and inadequate preparation time. Teachers’ viii salaries and benefits were also found to be lower than salaries and benefits of other qualified professionals in the private sector leading to a very high rate of attrition, as teachers left the teaching profession for other well-paying jobs in the private sector. The study recommended that the government increase the remuneration of teachers to the level of other qualified professionals in the private sector. The study also recommended the improvement of teachers’ working and living conditions, the strengthening of administrative support for the teachers and the introduction of strong mentoring programmes for new graduate teachers. The research also provided direction for further research on the subject.