Attrition and Retention of Teachers in the Public Senior High Schools in the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Region

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to examine the attrition and retention of teachers of public Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Tamale Metropolis. This was pursued through examining the factors that led to teacher attrition/retention, as well as analysing the effects of teacher attrition on student performance. A descriptive design was adopted to study the 95 teachers from eight schools in the metropolis. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the teachers and analysed using statistical tools such as means, medians, frequencies, and percentages. Kruskal Wallis H test and phi-statistics were also used to test for significant differences and strength of association where applicable. The study found that the factors for teacher attrition included the lure of non-teaching jobs, poor working conditions, such as inadequate teaching materials and inadequate accommodation incentives. Other factors that influenced SHS teachers’ intention to quit teaching also covered overload of work, low prestige attached to teaching and marital status of teachers. High turnover was related with low academic performance of students. This resulted from disruption in school culture, pressure on school budgets, breakage of student-teacher bonds, as well as poorer understanding and control of students’ behaviour by their teachers. The teachers in the metropolis are recommended to advocate for better conditions of service and regular supply of adequate teaching and learning materials, as well as better rewards and incentive system. The head teachers were advised to employ surveying as means to help in addressing the occupational needs of teachers, which could help teacher retention.