The Netherlands is facing a shortage of 13,500 teachers, significantly affecting education quality. A possible solution to improve staff retention is job enrichment. This concept aims to make jobs more attractive and retain staff. In their study ‘Retaining teachers: Does enriching teachers’ jobs contribute? A two-wave study,’ Josine van den Elsen, Brenda Vermeeren, and Bram Steijn investigate how job enrichment can reduce staff turnover, taking into account both the positive and negative effects on teacher well-being.
The teacher shortage is particularly severe in the G5 cities: Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Almere. School boards and municipalities have sounded the alarm in these urban areas, especially in primary education. They emphasize the need for measures to ensure continuity, quality and equal opportunities in education. Without sufficient support for teachers, the quality of education is affected, which negatively affects the development and prospects of students.
Teacher shortage increases workload, which can lead to burnout and the desire to leave education
Students must receive high-quality education without this being at the expense of their development or progression to higher education. An inspection in 2023 showed that 20 per cent of Dutch schools are underperforming, which emphasizes the urgent need for action. Teachers in the G5 cities, in particular, often face excessive workloads due to the number of students they have to teach, which can lead to burnout and an increased intention to leave education. Other factors contributing to the teacher shortage include the ageing of the teaching workforce, the tight labour market and the attractiveness of alternative career opportunities.
Job enrichment is a strategy for teacher retention
A possible solution for teacher retention is job enrichment, which involves expanding teachers’ responsibilities to increase their engagement and job satisfaction. Recent policy measures, including those of the European Commission, emphasize job enrichment to improve job satisfaction and teacher retention. Depending on how it is implemented, job enrichment can have both positive effects (such as increased job satisfaction) and negative effects (such as burnout).
The role of well-being in teacher retention
The study with 637 teachers in primary and secondary education in the Netherlands shows that job enrichment can effectively reduce turnover intentions among teachers, thus addressing the teacher shortage. The study found that job enrichment positively impacts job satisfaction and engagement, reducing turnover intentions. At the same time, job enrichment was also associated with workaholism. This does not increase turnover intentions. It suggests that when managed well, job enrichment can lead to mutual benefits without exacerbating adverse outcomes such as burnout or emotional exhaustion.
Well prepared to retain teachers in G5 schools
The Educational Master Primary Education (EMPO) program at Erasmus University Rotterdam prepares teachers for the unique challenges of teaching in metropolitan environments, emphasising effective teaching methods and child development. The program offers specialized training in four key roles: pedagogical, didactic, strategic, and investigative, so teachers are well prepared to make a meaningful impact in large cities, such as within G5 schools. EMPO graduates can thus retain enriching work and contribute to the success of their students.
Job enrichment and targeted education programs can help address teacher shortages and maintain education quality. By understanding and implementing these strategies, governments and educational institutions can work toward a more stable and effective education system.
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