IT’S NOT JUST THE MONEY!: CAUSES OF TEACHER ATTRITION IN THE MUNICIPAL PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM OF LUZIÂNIA, GOIÁS

Abstract

The study investigates the factors behind the attrition of tenured teachers in Luziânia’s Municipal Public Education Network (2019–2022), emphasising how workplace conditions affect teachers’ mental health. Adopting a quantitative design, the Scale of Indicators of Pleasure and Suffering at Work (EIPST) was administered to 102 teachers on medical leave during the period. Statistical analysis showed that psychological distress, stemming from workload, lack of recognition and organisational injustices, outweighed work-related pleasure. Although peer support emerged as a coping strategy, it proved insufficient to counteract the structural problem. The findings indicate that precarious working conditions and a deficit in professional valuation are directly linked to teacher attrition. The study recommends public policies to foster mental-health promotion, training in stress-management techniques and initiatives to enhance professional recognition. Such measures are vital to reduce absences, improve working conditions and safeguard the quality of public education.