Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute teachers to leave their
teaching profession, in East Harerghe Zone of seven secondary school. A descriptive survey
design was employed for this study. The major instruments used to collect the data were
questionnaire, interview and documents. Data were collected from a total of 229
respondents, including 188 current teachers, 31 former teachers, 3 school supervisors and 7
principals. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Sampling techniques
simple random sampling,snow ball and available sampling method were employed for
selecting participants including 188 current and 27 former teachers to fill in questionnaires,
and 3 supervisors, 3 principals and 4 former teachers were participnts for interview. Data
analyses were made using descriptive statistical tools: frequency and percentages. The data
analysis findings revealed that the major causes of teachers turnover were the harsh
conditions to live in the area, the lack of infrastructures, inadequate salary, managerial
factors, salary gap between teachers and non-teaching profession, the absence of the two years-salary increment and lack of incentives. School leaders and supervisors were
professionally untrained in educational leadership. Teachers’ future intention to stay in the
profession is frustrating. The government and stakeholders to minimize teacher’s turnover by
improving services-salary increment should be considered to retain teachers in the
profession. To improve the school management, the solution is to as sign professionally trained
committed competent school leaders
