Abstract:

The study sought to explore and understand the reasons behind high teacher attrition in basic schools in the Lawra District and its attendant effects on basic schools in the district. A case study design was adopted for the study. The semi-structured questionnaire, unstructured interview, focus group discussion, and documentary archives were used to collect data from 59 respondents which comprised of students, teachers, teacher union administrators of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and District Education Managers. Purposive, sequential, expert and snow ball sampling techniques were used. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. The study found that non-enforcement of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Scheme of Service, slim chance for further studies, educational managers’ poor work attitude, non-existence of any district based retention scheme and meagre school communities’ commitments to education characterised the education environment in Lawra. The study recommends the strict adherence to the Scheme of Service and commitment of more resources to district based teacher retention programmes, and opportunities for further studies. The study concludes that the Lawra District has not adequately positioned itself to attract and maintain teachers in the district, especially female teachers, and graduates with advanced degrees in French and ICT and non-natives. This has resulted in Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE) / West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) holders playing great part in the teaching force in Lawra District.

Keywords:

Attrition, retention, retention programmes, scheme of service, poor work attitudes, District Educational Managers, Ghana National Association of Teachers