Factors Affecting Teacher Motivation in Public Secondary Schools in Teso-South Sub-County, Kenya

Hezekiah Adwar Othoo – Department of Education Psychology, Management and Policy Studies
Alupe University College, Kenya
Foscar Nekesa – School of Education and Social Science, Alupe University College, Kenya
Email: hezruakas@gmail.com

Abstract: Teachers’ lack of motivation is thought to have affected negatively student performance in Kenyan secondary schools, particularly those in Teso South Sub County. Different elements, like work environment and teacher rewards, are thought to influence lack of teacher motivation. The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting teacher’s motivation in public secondary schools in Teso South Sub-County. The study focused on the influence of job satisfaction on teacher motivation and the effect of reward system on teacher motivation. Descriptive research design was used. Prior to the study, content validity was determined by incorporating the opinions of content expert, and reliability was determined by testing and retesting, yielding a correlation of 0.8. The study targeted the school principals and teachers. A total of 31 respondents participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from both teachers and the principal. Data collected quantitatively was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The study found out that most teachers (64.52%) were satisfied with their jobs, most teachers would seek promotional opportunity elsewhere (32.23%). The study also found out that most of the respondents were satisfied with their current pay (67.74%) teachers are promoted on the basis of their qualifications and performance (38.71%). The study recommends that schools should ensure that school environment is conducive for teachers to ensure that they are fully satisfied with their job. The study also recommended that teachers should be remunerated and recommended for promotions based on their performance and qualifications.