Stress And Overwork Push Sa's Teachers To The Brink Of Quitting

A recent study reveals that many South African educators are on the verge of quitting their jobs due to overwhelming stress, with half of the countrys teachers indicating that they plan to leave within the next decade, Cape town Etc reports.

According to new findings from the Teacher Demographic Dividend TDD project, partnered with Stellenbosch Universitys Research on Socio-Economic Policy unit Resep, a staggering 50 of surveyed teachers cited stress and job dissatisfaction as primary reasons for contemplating resignation.

The study surveyed 1 500 educators across various levels of education, revealing some alarming trends. Despite a slight dip in the number of complaints reported in 2024, the issue of teacher attrition remains a pressing concern. The report indicated that 8 of teachers are considering resignation within the next year, with another 22 planning to leave within 2 to 5 years.

Teachers in no-fee schools, where learner poverty and behavioural issues are particularly rampant, are more likely to resign, compared to their peers in mid- and high-fee institutions. These schools report challenges like socio-emotional issues among learners, which greatly affect job satisfaction and curriculum delivery.

High workloads, including extensive administrative duties, were cited by 49 of teachers at mid-fee schools and 53 at high-fee schools. By contrast, teachers in lower-income schools felt slightly less burdened by administrative tasks.