Teacher Attrition: Insights from School Administrators

Bayrak Ö., Ok A.

Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International , cilt.16, sa.2, ss.740-756, 2026 (TRDizin)

Özet

Teacher attrition has emerged as a critical issue globally, with numerous teachers leaving the profession voluntarily before retirement, negatively affecting educational quality and school climate. School administrators play a central role in shaping school environments that may influence teachers’ decision to stay or leave. This basic qualitative study investigates public school administrators’ perspectives on the influences contributing to teacher attrition in Türkiye. Data were collected from 10 administrators through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Findings revealed two main themes: (1) work life experiences, including challenges related to classroom management, organizational climate, workload, and obligatory service requirements, and (2) career dissatisfaction, including the perceived status of the teaching profession, low salaries, and alternative job opportunities. The findings indicate that administrators’ interpretations of their roles shape how attrition is understood and addressed within schools. Based on the results strengthening mentoring programs particularly for early career teachers, enhancing leadership development for administrators, improving workload management practices, reconsidering sociocultural factors of obligatory service, and improving financial conditions of teachers are recommended.