The Diploma thesis focuses on the drop-out of beginning teachers. Theoretical part elaborates on the phenomenon of drop-out, it describes the reasons why the beginning teachers leave and why they are the group of teachers which is the most threatened by drop-out. Furthermore, this part describes problems that beginning teachers have to deal with and the most frequent reasons for leaving the profession, their rate and consequences of drop-out. The end of the theoretical part presents options and suggestions that would help solve this problem. The empirical part of the thesis is realized by an on-line questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The research focuses on four main aspects: 1 - the motivation to study the teaching and to practise it, 2 - the main reasons for new teachers to leave, 3 - the possibilities to prevent drop-out and 4 - whether the respondents continue to work with children or not. Last but not least, the research focuses on the possibilities that would help respondents to stay in the profession. The results of the research confirm the reasons for quiting as described by literature. The qualitative description of the reasons for drop-outs provides a deeper understanding of how they interact in an institutional, interactive and cultural level. KEYWORDS Induction period, teacher...

The study is an investigation into the pathways of out-of-school youth and their re-entrance into the Education Training and Development (ETD) system or the labour market. In the study the pathways of youth who dropped out of school between grades 1 and 11 are traced as they seek re-entrance to the ETD system, or entrance into the labour market. Particular attention was given to the factors that determine the choices that dropouts make either in re-entering the ETD system or entering the labour market. An analysis of the experiences of the interviewed sample of dropouts is presented. The study employs a qualitative research methodology using interviews to elicit the experiences of dropouts and school managers. The participants (young people and three school principals) were selected through snowballing from a township south of Durban. Individual and focus group interviews were held. The findings provide evidence of the value of investing in education, as suggested by the youth. This is in line with the human capital theory framework that suggests that there are major benefits to investing in education. The study is concluded by suggesting the need for second chance education in South Africa. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted