Nearly half of South Africa's teachers want to quit within the next 10 years

A new study reveals that nearly half of South Africa’s teachers are considering leaving the profession within the next decade, driven largely by overwhelming workloads, excessive administrative demands, threats of violence from students, and a lack of mental health support.

The report, Teacher Preferences and Job Satisfaction in South Africa, was developed as part of Stellenbosch University’s Teacher Demographic Dividend Project.

It surveyed over 1,580 teachers to gain deeper insight into their experiences, challenges, and motivations.

One of the most striking findings is that 70% of teachers identify administrative tasks as their main source of stress, limiting their ability to effectively plan lessons and support learners.

The study also highlights a strong geographic divide in teacher preferences.

Urban provinces like the Western Cape and Gauteng are the most sought-after, while rural areas such as Limpopo and the Eastern Cape are likely to face critical teacher shortages.

A particularly troubling issue, often overlooked in discussions about South Africa’s education crisis, is the growing threat of violence against teachers – an urgent concern demanding national attention.

Nearly half of South Africa's teachers want to quit within the next 10 years – study

The research shows that 70% of teachers identify administrative tasks as their main source of stress.