Why Do Teachers Leave Schools and And How to Keep Them Happy & Motivated!
Why Do Teachers Leave? (And How to Keep Them Happy & Motivated!)
Teachers are the backbone of any school, yet many schools struggle with high teacher turnover.
Why? Because just like everyone else, teachers have needs, goals, and dreams.
While no one can fully meet all human needs, smart school owners create systems that make teachers feel valued, respected, and motivated.
If you want to keep great teachers in your school, here’s what you must stop doing:
1. Poor Communication
Communication is the key to a thriving work environment. But in many schools:
❌ Teachers are spoken to harshly.
❌ School owners and administrators use insults, curses, or belittling words.
❌ Teachers are treated as if they are worthless.
Reality check: People leave jobs because of insults.
Some school owners talk to teachers as if they are slaves. Others use indirect curses disguised as prayers. Over time, this breaks teachers emotionally.
A teacher may tolerate insults for a while, but the day they get a better offer—they leave without looking back.
If you talk to your teachers with respect, they will stay and be loyal to your school.
2. Delay in Salary Payment
The current economy is tough. Having a stable job is a blessing—but that doesn’t mean school owners should exploit teachers.
❌ Some school owners intentionally delay salaries.
❌ Some expect teachers to beg for their pay.
❌ Others prioritize school building projects over paying staff.
Let’s be clear: You cannot owe teachers and expect them to stay.
A hungry teacher is an angry teacher. And an angry teacher will eventually leave.
If you can buy granite for construction, why not pay salaries first?
Solution:
✅ Pay teachers on time (preferably by the 26th of every month).
✅ Stop treating salary payment as a “favor”—it’s their right.
✅ Give salary increments as the school grows.
3. Overworking & Micromanaging Teachers
Many school owners overburden teachers with tasks outside their primary duties.
❌ Teachers are forced to work as bursars, security guards, and administrative staff.
❌ Some schools make teachers chase debtors instead of teaching.
❌ Others assign multiple classes to one teacher without extra pay.
This is wrong. If a teacher is overworked and exhausted, how will they deliver quality lessons?
Solution:
✅ Hire extra support staff to ease the burden on teachers.
✅ Let teachers focus on teaching, not chasing fees.
✅ Reduce excessive workloads—one teacher shouldn’t teach multiple classes at once.
Teachers talk. If your school has a bad reputation, good teachers will avoid you.
4. Excluding Teachers from Decision-Making
Some schools create “committees,” but the decisions are still made only by the school owner or administrator.
❌ Teachers have no voice in important school decisions.
❌ School owners ignore teachers’ ideas and suggestions.
❌ Parents hear about new policies before teachers do.
When teachers feel excluded, they disconnect. And when they disconnect, they start looking for a better workplace.
Solution:
✅ Involve teachers in decision-making.
✅ Make them feel like part of the school’s growth.
✅ Respect their input and ideas.
5. No Career Growth or Mentorship
Most teachers don’t just want a job—they want a future.
But in many schools:
❌ Teachers are not mentored or trained.
❌ No one is groomed for leadership roles.
❌ School owners fear teachers will “steal their ideas” and start their own schools.
Here’s the truth: If you don’t help teachers grow, they’ll outgrow your school and leave.
Solution:
✅ Offer leadership and mentorship opportunities.
✅ Support teachers’ professional development.
✅ Show them a career path within the school.
How to Keep Your Best Teachers (And Make Your School Stronger!)
Now that we know why teachers leave, here’s how to make them stay:
1. Pay Salaries on Time & Increase Pay Regularly
📌 Teachers expect fair pay and timely payment.
📌 If your school is growing, their salary should grow too.
📌 A teacher with no salary increase for years will eventually leave.
2. Avoid Overloading Teachers
📌 Let teachers focus on teaching.
📌 Have floating teachers to fill in when someone is absent.
📌 A happy, well-rested teacher delivers better lessons.
3. Appreciate Hardworking Teachers
📌 Celebrate long-serving teachers.
📌 Create healthy competition and reward excellence.
📌 Don’t wait for teachers to resign before offering an incentive.
4. Offer Regular Salary Increases
📌 The economy is changing—so should salaries.
📌 Teachers expect a raise over time.
📌 Schools lose great teachers because of stagnant salaries.
5. Stop Micromanaging Teachers
📌 Give teachers clear job descriptions.
📌 Avoid overloading primary school teachers with secondary school work.
📌 Trust them to do their jobs without excessive control.
6. Reduce Lesson Note Pressure
📌 Many teachers copy and paste lesson notes just to please management.
📌 Schools must encourage creativity in lesson planning.
📌 A well-structured timetable makes lesson delivery more effective.
7. Provide Free On-the-Job Training
📌 Teachers need professional development.
📌 Never ask them to pay for training.
📌 A well-trained teacher brings better results for your school.
8. Give Small Mid-Term Bonuses
📌 Small gestures make a big difference.
📌 Give teachers gifts like detergent, soap, or tissue paper.
📌 This shows you care—and they will care about your school.
9. Protect Teachers from Parent Harassment
📌 Stand up for your teachers.
📌 Don’t let parents disrespect them.
📌 A teacher who feels protected will stay loyal to your school.
10. Help Teachers Secure Their Future
📌 Consider real estate investment for teachers.
📌 Buy land in developing areas (Atan, Ikorodu, etc.).
📌 Deduct small amounts from salaries until they own the land.
📌 When teachers feel secure, they give their best.
Final Thoughts
Teachers are the heart of every school. If you treat them well, they will stay and build your vision.
If you mistreat them, they will leave—and your school will struggle.
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Edu Delight Tutors Team
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Why Teachers Are Quitting—And How to Fix It!