Thousands of teachers approved for early retirement amid workload concerns

National Treasury figures published in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement show that 8,763 teacher applications for early retirement were approved, making education the largest named sector in the government programme. The South African Union of Teachers (SAOU) says the figures warrant urgent scrutiny of working conditions, including heavy workloads, burnout, administrative demands, staff shortages and learner discipline. SAOU executive officer Paul Sauer said the data do not establish why individual teachers applied, but schools’ working conditions need urgent attention. One former teacher said she left after years of mounting pressure because she had nothing left to give.