TEACHER ATTRITION AND RETENTION IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF EVIDENCE AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR PUNJAB

Abstract

This systematic review was designed to synthesize the empirical evidence regarding teachers' attrition and retention problems among the elementary school teachers focusing on implications for Punjab. Teacher turnover is an issue of concern for education systems due to implications for teacher availability, instructional continuity, school stability, learning outcomes and students. The review was carried out according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, employing a structured process of identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of relevant studies. Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, ScienceDirect, SAGE Journals, Taylor & Francis Online, SpringerLink and Google Scholar were searched for empirical studies published between 2000 and 2026. There were initially 384 records. Following duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, and full-text eligibility assessment, 28 empirical studies were finally included for qualitative thematic synthesis. They found that teacher attrition can be traced to factors such as excessive workload, job dissatisfaction, burnout, low pay, promotion opportunities, working conditions, pressure coming from administration, lack of recognition, distance from work and poor leadership support. The review also identified that supportive school leadership, professional development, teacher mentoring, fair workload sharing, career advancement, teacher recognition and better working conditions are ways to improve teacher retention. High teacher turnover also negatively impacts school operation via disruption of curriculum delivery, additional workload for other teachers, loss of teacher–student continuity, and loss of instructional stability. It is determined in the review that coordinated interventions are needed at institutional and policy levels to reduce teacher attrition at the elementary level. In Punjab, evidence-based retention policies are required to boost teacher retention, strengthen primary education and enhance the learning outcomes of the students.