School and District Leaders Talk about Teacher Attrition

Abstract

Teacher attrition has become a challenge in many educational systems worldwide. Many studies have focused on
teachers' perspectives, while attempting to identify the factors that motivated teachers' decision to leave the
profession. The present study aimed to explore teacher attrition from the point of view of school leaders - principals
and inspectors. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the results indicate that school and district leaders
perceived teacher attrition via two-dimensional structure, including explicit and implicit dimensions. The explicit
dimension refers to the act of leaving. The participants indicated that the main reasons that motivate teachers'
decision to leave the profession are related to the stressful working environment and poor job conditions. The
implicit dimension presents a hidden attrition. Based on cost-benefit theory the study highlights the complex
structure of teacher attrition.