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SA Teachers Could Quit Over Stress and Workload, New Study Warns
South Africa’s education system may face a looming crisis, as a new study reveals that 50% of teachers are considering leaving the profession within the next decade due to overwhelming stress and excessive workloads.
The findings come from the Teacher Preferences and Job Satisfaction in South Africa report, led by Stellenbosch University’s Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP) as part of the Teacher Demographic Dividend (TDD) Project. Surveying over 1,500 teachers nationwide—with in-depth follow-ups with 80 participants—the report sheds light on the emotional and practical pressures pushing educators to breaking point.
Dr. Heleen Hofmeyr, one of the report’s authors, said: “While actual attrition rates might not reach 50%, the data sends a clear warning about teacher burnout and the need for urgent support.”
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Administrative burdens the main culprit
According to the study, 70% of teachers cited excessive paperwork and administrative duties as their main source of stress, saying these tasks cut into valuable time for lesson planning and learner support. Many respondents felt this bureaucracy was disconnected from their teaching responsibilities.
Notably, the report found that teachers in better-resourced schools experienced even higher stress levels than those in underfunded institutions. This was largely due to greater expectations from school management and parents, particularly regarding academic performance. The study also highlights how many teachers are being forced to take on roles beyond their training—serving as counsellors, social workers, and caregivers—without the professional support structures to back them up.
“There’s a desperate need for in-school psychological services to help learners dealing with poverty, violence, and neglect,” Hofmeyr added.
Many teachers reported emotional exhaustion due to their students’ challenging home environments, saying they are unequipped to manage the social issues learners bring into the classroom.
Rural schools facing critical teacher shortages
The report raises another alarm about the reluctance of teachers to accept rural posts. The Western Cape and Gauteng remain the most preferred locations for employment, while provinces like Limpopo and the Eastern Cape risk a growing shortage of qualified teachers.
“Worryingly, 40% of respondents said there was nothing that could convince them to work in rural areas,” the report found. Key deterrents included poor infrastructure, limited growth opportunities, and inadequate resources.
Addressing the crisis
To address these growing challenges and ensure the retention of quality educators, the study stresses the need for significant policy changes. The introduction of in-school mental health support services, including counsellors and psychologists, is a priority. Reducing administrative burdens by streamlining paperwork and expanding the teaching assistant programme would allow teachers more time for direct educational support. Moreover, incentives for teaching in rural areas, such as subsidized housing and additional support services, would help alleviate the pressure on understaffed regions. Finally, improving training for managing diverse learners and behavioral challenges would go a long way in reducing teacher stress.
“If South Africa wants to secure quality education, the country must start by investing in teacher well-being,” Hofmeyr concluded.
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Picture: Nee Advantage
