Question NW3886 to the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

Whether, with reference to her department's annual report for the 2014-15 financial year, her department has ascertained why each of the 1 321 young and qualified educators under the age of 30 have left the system; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons, in descending order of prevalence, for young educators leaving the system?

The indicator in question reports on all educators who were terminated on the system regardless of the category of termination. The main categories for this particular indicator are contract expiry (903), resignation (385), and death (22). Nine (9) educators were discharged due to misconduct. The reasons for termination related to resignation, that is, the 385 cases indicated above, are captured on PERSAL. The main reasons in order of prevalence are:

• resigning of position to take up another position either within the sector or in government;
• taking up another position outside the sector for better remuneration or simply changing of occupation; and
• issues about working conditions including personal grievances and nature of work.