Policy appropriation in teacher retention and attrition: the case of North-West province

We report on the 2008 study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on teacher retention and attrition in South African public schools, with a focus on North-West Province. Data from the study show that some teachers prefer to leave the teaching profession for promotion posts in non-teaching areas within the education sector, while others leave the education sector altogether for the private sector. There is evidence though, that despite concerns about the adequacy of teacher supply, South Africa has enough teachers to meet current teacher demands. The estimated 5.5% teacher attrition rate, the insufficient production of teacher graduates by universities, and the increasing number of teachers ready and willing to leave the teaching profession should they receive better job offers, are unlikely to compromise the supply, or the current pool of teachers. The greatest threat to the retention of teachers in the teaching profession appears to be ways in which provincial and regional education offices appropriate teacher appointment policies and procedures. We argue that teacher recruitment and appointment procedures are open to abuse.