Teaching is often hailed as one of the most rewarding professions, but in South Africa, educators are increasingly facing stress and burnout. From overcrowded classrooms and limited resources to administrative pressures and community challenges, many teachers are under immense strain, with some considering leaving the profession altogether.
NAPTOSA Provincial Vice Chairperson Lee Hoffmann explained the roots of teacher fatigue:
“The issue of teacher burnout and fatigue stems from a combination of overlapping factors. Excessive workload and administrative burdens are major contributors. Teachers don’t just teach; they handle admin, paperwork, planning, marking, and professional development workshops, often during school holidays. Large, overcrowded classrooms make it even more challenging, as teachers are essentially juggling multiple responsibilities at once.”
Listen to the full interview with Lee Hoffmann below:
Meanwhile, a study conducted by Stellenbosch University in April revealed that 50% of teachers surveyed are considering leaving the profession within the next decade, citing heavy workloads and growing administrative demands.
Prof Mbulungeni Madiba, Dean of Education at Stellenbosch University, added:
“Many teachers are contemplating early retirement because the workload is unbearable. This is very unfortunate because the country already faces a shortage of teachers. The administrative demands are enormous, a ‘paperwork tsunami’, yet it is the teachers who have to manage all these additional responsibilities while still delivering quality education to their students.”
Listen to the full interview with Prof Mbulungeni Madiba below:
With stress levels on the rise, experts are calling for urgent interventions to address workload management, classroom sizes, and teacher support systems to retain experienced educators and maintain the quality of education in South Africa.
VOC News
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