Factors contributing to teacher attrition in some selected primary schools in Quthing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that contributed to teacher attrition at primary schools in Quthing. To achieve this purpose, I adopted the qualitative approach to the study. The population of the study was all principals and teachers in all schools in Quthing district. Purposive sampling was used to select twenty-four participants that formed part of the study. The data were collected from the four principals and twenty teachers through semi- structured interviews and focus group interviews. The collected data were transcribed and analysed thematically. The findings from the participants revealed that teacher attrition is mostly ascribed to poor working conditions such as workload, teacher burnout, poor infrastructure, lack of motivation and support, handicapped interpersonal relationships and poor salaries. The study concluded that teacher attrition is high in Quthing. Recommendations of the study are that principals should draw policies of school development and encourage their subordinates to develop professionally.