The Alarming Rise of Early Retirement in Education Caused by Mental Health

(The Post News) – The education sector in South Africa is facing troubling waves of early retirements, with at least 1 599 teachers across the country leaving their posts between 2023 and 2024.

This, according to a report by What’s On Gauteng, described the situation as a ‘mental health crisis’, pointing to chronic stress, emotional fatigue and administrative overload as major contributors.

The report states that at least 60 educators from this total figure are from Gauteng.

Department on Mental Health

The Gauteng department of Education confirmed that mental health was a key factor in early retirement applications, with teachers reporting burnout, anxiety, and depression linked to their working conditions. The department acknowledged the severity of the issue and emphasised its commitment to improving wellness support for educators.

Meanwhile the nationally, the picture is equally concerning, as teachers are increasingly expected to manage overcrowded classrooms, navigate complex bureaucratic demands, and support learners facing trauma, all while receiving limited psychological assistance themselves.

Mental health professionals have echoed these concerns, calling for on-site counselling, trauma-informed training, and regular psychological assessments.

They warn that without proactive support, the education system risks losing more experienced teachers, which could impact learner outcomes and institutional stability.

Overcrowding and Bureaucratic Demands on Teacher

According to recent reports, overcrowding in South African classrooms has reached crisis levels. In Gauteng’s Cosmo City Primary 1, nearly 70 learners were crammed into a classroom designed for 30, forcing many to sit on the floor and making effective teaching nearly impossible.

Similarly, in Limpopo’s Musina region, some secondary schools reported up to 90 learners per class—double their intended capacity—resulting in chaotic learning environments and declining academic performance.

The Department of Basic Education, more than 8,000 schools are overcrowded and R32 billion is required just to build additional classrooms and toilets.

Meanwhile, the bureaucratic demands underpinning the education crisis add another layer of challenge.

A 2023 report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise described South Africa’s basic education system as “large and complex,” with more than 25,000 public schools, nine provincial departments and over 320,000 teachers, all subject to multiple layers of management with uneven leadership and accountability.