Pandemic and teacher retention: empirical evidence from expat teachers in Southeast Asia during COVID-19
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 22 October 2020
Issue publication date: 2 December 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to explore the influence of expat teachers' attitude about local policies, and their subjective norms of social engagement during COVID-19 over their intention to leave the current country, due to COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses analysis of variance (ANOVA) and structural equation model (SEM) to examine the perception of crisis and the intention to leave among 307 expat teachers in Southeast Asia during COVID-19 and highlights the importance of policy responses and social engagement toward the minimum teacher turnover rate.
Findings
The study reveals that, the higher perceived policy responses and community engagement the teachers acknowledge, the lower chance they will move to another country. Also, this paper presents the differences in expat teachers' perceptions and intentions among demographic factors such as teaching qualification, their current country of teaching, experience at the current country, income before, during and expected income after COVID-19.
Originality/value
The paper justifies a conceptual framework which provides a hypothetical explanation about the influence of perceived policy responses and community engagement over expat teachers' intention to leave.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
As the COVID-19 is causing unprecedented short-term and long-term impacts over the globe, the author first want to present a great acknowledgment to all doctors, nurses, police, volunteers and citizens regardless of nationality who are fighting against COVID-19. Second, the author would like to say thanks to all teachers and school leaders who supported us by participating in this study. The author would like to contribute this study as an encouragement for teachers and school leaders worldwide, who are paying the greatest effort to maintain the educational spirit. Last but not least, a great thanks to the editorial board and all reviewers who dedicated to make the results of this work published in a timely manner.
Citation
Hoang, A.-D. (2020), "Pandemic and teacher retention: empirical evidence from expat teachers in Southeast Asia during COVID-19", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 40 No. 9/10, pp. 1141-1166. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-07-2020-0269
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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