Despite being the highest-paid civil servants in the country, teachers leaving the profession is still on the rise in the country. As per the Annual Education Statistics 2021, more than three hundred teachers left the profession this year, 190 more than last year. According to the report, most of the teachers resigned voluntarily.
Of the total 353 teachers who left the profession this year, 224 resigned voluntarily, 54 superannuated, three on compulsory resignation and 49 left after their contract expired. This resulted in increase in the attrition rate of 3.4 percent.
While the report does not specify the reasons, a few teachers requesting anonymity said there are many factors that contribute to teachers leaving the profession.
“The one reason could be the workload of teachers and the second reason could be less facilities in the school. Even to get a chart paper, we have so many formalities. So that’s why we see so many teachers resigning. Another reason could be leadership. We are pressurized by our leaders. If the leader is not supportive, if he is not farsighted, then teachers get frustrated with the leaders,” said one of the teachers.
“Firstly, teachers are placed in the schools in the wills and whims of the authorities without considering their families. For instance, wife working in the east while husband has to work in the west. Such situation gradually force teachers to leave profession by no choice. Secondly, in many case, teachers have to teach many subjects than the specialized one and also irrelevant class levels against their qualification. This makes teachers so tired and eventually they give up their profession,” added the other teacher
Meanwhile, Education Minister Jai Bir Rai over a telephone interview said while the trend is concerning, the ministry cannot stop those from leaving the profession for better opportunities. He said the trend is likely to continue for the next five years or more for better opportunities abroad.
However, the ministry will continue with their efforts of improving working conditions, providing quality professional development and streamlining work load among others to retain teachers.
Over the last six years, nearly 2000 teachers resigned from the profession. As per the report, there are over 10,000 teachers in the country today.
Sonam Pem
