Qualitative study of Manpower Attraction and Retention Processes in Education Department in Underprivileged Regions: A case Study of Kurdistan Province

This article presents the experiences of the attraction and retention processes of school teachers in an underprivileged province. The study population included teachers in Kurdistan Province, of whom, 20 were selected by purposive sampling. The data were collected through a 13-item interview protocol. Qualitative analysis identified six main categories as the main factors that can affect the attraction and retention of teachers in underprivileged regions, namely, altruism, social/occupational identity, inequality and discrimination, administrative corruption, desired support structures, and job requirements. The results showed that the desired support structures should be prioritized to improve attraction and retention of teachers in underprivileged regions, therefore, local cultural values should be better attended. Teachers’ welfare and livelihood should improve in this region, so as to sustain human resources the Education Department of such regions.