THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF UNCONTROLLED TEACHER ABSENTEEISM IN SELECTED PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MANGAUNG METRO MUNICIPALITY (BLOEMFONTEIN)

Abstract

This study investigated the causes and effects of uncontrolled teacher absenteeism in selected public primary schools in Mangaung Metro Municipality (Bloemfontein). The focus area was to find out how various factors like personal factors, school factors and environmental factors contribute to uncontrolled teacher absenteeism in selected public primary schools in Mangaung Metro Municipality. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. This was in the quest of understanding the views of various stakeholders such as teachers, principals and Human Resources (HR) personnel from the district and also to identify the main causes and effects of uncontrolled teacher absenteeism in public primary schools in Mangaung Metro Municipality. Purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 10 school principals, 60 teachers and one HR personnel from the district office. Ethical considerations such as volunteerism, anonymity and confidentiality were adhered to. Data were collected using questionnaires, one- on- one interview with principals and HR personnel dealing with the application of various types of leave, as well as documentary analysis. The interviews were aided by use of field notes and a tape recorder. Data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods of analyzing data. The findings of the study revealed that there is an urgent need to engage in critical discussion about the various types of leave such as study leave; sick leave; family responsibility leave and special leave for urgent private matters. Normally, an institution – based educator may during a scheduled working hours period, be granted a special leave to attend to an urgent private matter. The study also uncovered the challenges created by the management of the misuse of sick leave at schools by the teachers. The study found that uncontrolled teacher absenteeism impacts the smooth running of the school negatively as it affects delivery of the curriculum and incomplete syllabus coverage. It also creates disciplinary problems and unnecessary tension between the teachers who are always present at school and those who are frequently absent. In the quest for a conducive environment for the management of teacher absenteeism the study also alludes to the pivotal role that the unions and principals can play in order to regulate uncontrolled teacher absenteeism in schools as academic institutions. Based on the findings it is recommended that Free State Department of Education must ensure that they hold leave policy management workshops to stop this scourge of habitual absenteeism. It further recommends proper management and strict monitoring of attendance registers by Senior Management Teams as this could assist to curb the high rate of uncontrolled teacher absenteeism in public primary schools.