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THE nation has been losing more than 12,000 teachers annually through optional and compulsory retirement over the past three years, intensifying concerns over the long-term sustainability of the country’s education workforce and the growing imbalance between senior and younger educators.
Data released by the Education Ministry showed that between 2023 and 2025, an average of 5,249 teachers each year opted for early retirement approved by the Public Service Department, representing 1.20% of the ministry’s total teaching workforce of 437,484 educators.
The ministry identified “loss of interest” as the dominant factor behind early retirement decisions, accounting for 61.98% of cases.
Other contributing reasons included family-related matters at 19.57%, health issues at 8.57%, workload pressures at 7.61% and personal problems at 2.27%.
At the same time, an average of 7,280 teachers annually reached compulsory retirement age during the same period, equivalent to 1.63% of the national teaching workforce.
The figures have added to concerns over an increasingly ageing teacher population, with ministry workforce records indicating that educators in their forties and fifties now make up the largest share of teachers nationwide.
The Star cited Human Resource Management Information System data as of March 29 showed teachers aged between 41 and 45 formed the largest demographic group at 90,431, followed by those aged 46 to 50 at 76,071 and those aged 51 to 55 at 67,954.
In contrast, teachers aged between 21 and 25 accounted for only 13,968 nationwide, highlighting the widening age gap within the profession.
Despite the trend, the Education Ministry insisted it continues to monitor teacher requirements closely to ensure teaching and learning activities across schools remain uninterrupted.
“Based on data as of March 31, the ministry continues to monitor and manage teacher requirements on an ongoing basis to ensure the smooth implementation of teaching and learning in schools nationwide,” it said.
The ministry also sought to reassure concerns over staffing levels in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, stating that overall supply remains sufficient.
“For the science, technology, engineering and mathematics field, the overall supply of teachers is sufficient and current needs have been adequately met.
“Any minor staffing gaps in certain subjects are part of continuous adjustments in teacher placement management to ensure school-level needs are optimised at all times,” it said.
However, the ministry acknowledged that Mathematics remains an area facing staffing pressure nationwide.
“In Mathematics, there is a small overall shortage.
“However, the ministry is taking proactive measures through the redeployment of teachers, phased filling of vacancies, and efforts to strengthen the supply of Mathematics option teachers,” it said.
The ministry added that teacher placement strategies would continue to prioritise equitable distribution, including in rural and underserved schools, to ensure students across the country receive equal access to quality education. - May 17, 2026