Educator Attrition and Vacancy Replacement Rates in Mainstream Schools over Past Five Years

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education for each of the last five years (a) how many educators in mainstream schools left their positions; and (b) how many of the resulting vacancies were filled by replacement educators.

Mr Desmond Lee: Over the past five years, an average of 750 teachers resigned from the Education Service annually, representing a resignation rate of around 2%. At the school level, all the resulting vacancies were filled with newly posted or recruited teachers, as well as teachers who left the service but continued to serve in an adjunct capacity as they prefer a more flexible working arrangement.

The Ministry of Education closely monitors resignation and retirement trends and has increased teacher recruitment since 2025 to prepare for more retirements as the teaching workforce ages, in line with national workforce trends.