According to researchers from the Stellenbosch University's Research on Socioeconomic Policy, (RESEP) retirements and other forms of departure from the public teaching sector will rise strongly in the age group of 55 and above.
Researchers from the RESEP unit also found that about half of the teachers leaving public teaching annually are below the official retirement age of 55, meaning many are leaving for reasons other than retirement.
“Teachers can retire from age 55, and in most circumstances have to retire by age 60 – though in some circumstances a limited number are allowed to remain in teaching until age 65. Altogether, 49% of teachers are 50 years or older, and 25% at least 55 years old. Thus, a large retirement wave is inevitable,” the researchers said.
The study noted that attrition before qualifying for retirement is affected by several factors, such as women leaving the labour market when starting a family, teachers being frustrated with their work, financially attractive options for teaching abroad and moving to private schools or into School Governing Body (SGB) posts.
Following the release of the study, many have raised concerns about how the Department of Basic Education plans to replace teachers amid the predicted high retirement wave and whether the department engaged on collaborative initiatives tackle the matter.
Responding in a written parliamentary Q&A, Basic education Minister, Angie Motshekga stated that her department is working closely with partners such as the RESEP-Stellenbosch University unit and the Department of Higher Education and Training to thoroughly address the concern on teacher retirements.
In order to tackle the coming wave of retirement and the attrition patterns of younger teachers, the researchers suggested that South Africa would have to graduate between 6,000 and 13,000 additional teachers each year by 2030.
The department says that the research conducted by the RESEP also acknowledged that South Africa's universities appear prepared to deal with the retirement of teachers, adding that university output is on a sound trajectory and should be able to deal with a demand for a larger workforce.
Additionally, in anticipation of the injection of a high number of new entrants into the system, the department plans to intensify the rollout of a comprehensive induction programme for all new teachers.
Motshekga said the induction programme will ensure a smooth assimilation of young teachers into the system as it provides holistic support to new teachers, covering not only personal development, but professional and social support.
