Overcoming personal challenges that rural teachers encounter

Abstract

Overcoming challenges that rural teachers encounter is central to educational change in South Africa. The aim of this paper is to examine personal challenges that face rural teachers with a view of offering possible solutions as to how these challenges could be minimised or overcome. Rural teachers were interviewed to ascertain what personal challenges they face. These personal challenges include issues such as logistic arrangements to get to and from school, housing and accommodation, taking care of family needs and engaging in activities for personal and professional growth. Personal challenges that rural teachers encounter have a negative impact on their ability to deliver quality education to learners. This article, by drawing from the experience of the author, as a principal of a rural school in KwaZulu-Natal and by reviewing relevant literature, expounds how the personal challenges faced by rural teachers can be overcome.