The Department of Basic Education (DBE) estimates that the average rate of teachers leaving public schools ranges between 3% and 5%, which is said to be relatively low by international standards and indicates a high rate of teachers remaining at public schools overall.
Many have expressed concern about the predicted high teacher retirement rate within the next 10 years and the DBE together with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and partners such as ReSEP-Stellenbosch University has conducted its internal analysis and collaborative research into the retirement rate and solutions to address it.
ReSEP-Stellenbosch University stated that South Africa's universities appear to be prepared to deal with the retirement of teachers and that the output of qualified teachers from universities is on a stable trajectory.
They believe that the amount of students qualifying from universities with degrees in education should be enough to able to deal with a demand for a larger workforce.
Studies have shown that the number of teachers that need to be produced if the government only wants to replace those that are retiring will amount to 25 000, which is the current number of teachers being produced per year.
This number will increase to 52 000 teachers per year by 2030 if class sizes and current learner-to-teacher ratios are to be maintained.
These numbers may increase depending on a various factors such as population increase and lower dropout rates.
The Department says that it will intensify the rollout of a comprehensive induction programme in anticipation of the introduction of a high number of new teachers into the system.
The induction programme will provide holistic support to new teachers and will cover topics of personal development as well as professional and social support. It aims to ensure that young teachers transition into the system smoothly.
