The Determinants of Special-Post Teacher Attrition in Western China

This research focus on the social problems of high turnover rate of special post teachers serving rural schools in Western China. This research aims at investigating the factors decreasing the retention of special post teachers in Western China. To achieve this research aim, the researcher adopts qualitative research method, interview research strategy, carrying interviews with 12 special post teachers working in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to investigate the factors that would arouse their intention to leave their present working position. This research finds that in the 12 special post teachers interviewed, 8 of them have significant tendency to leave, which is positively corresponding to the reality of high turnover rate of special post teacher in China. The special post teacher's intention to leave is influenced by seven dilemmas, namely separation between spouses, high work pressure, low social status, children education and companionship, low salary, poor natural environment, and the lack of sense of belonging.