Motivation and teacher retention in private secondary schools in Ssisa Sub-County, Wakiso District, Uganda

Abstract

The study was done to establish the effect of motivation on teacher retention in private secondary schools in Ssisa Sub County, Wakiso District. It was guided by three objectives; namely: to establish the effect of remuneration, responsibilities and staff development programmes on teacher retention in private secondary schools in Ssisa Sub County, Wakiso District. The study was prompted by continuous annual recruitment of teachers in the area. The study took a cross sectional survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches covering a total of 165 respondents that were conveniently selected. Data thereof was statistically analyzed before testing hypotheses using Pearson’s correlation co-efficient index. The findings of the study showed that there was a positive significant relationship between remuneration, responsibilities assigned, staff development programs and teachers’ retention in private secondary schools in Ssisa Sub County, Wakiso District. It was concluded that remuneration, responsibilities and staff development programmes positively enhance teachers’ retention in private secondary schools in Ssisa Sub County, Wakiso District. The researcher recommended that if teachers’ retention in private secondary schools in Ssisa Sub County in Wakiso District is to be enhanced, Ministry of Education and Sports should pick interest in the day to day operations of private secondary schools to ensure that Boards of Governors, proprietors of schools, and head teachers not only remunerate teachers well to enable them dedicate their efforts and minds on the job but also offer responsibilities to them to encourage them to be part and parcel of the school thus improving on their retention. In addition the parent Ministry, Boards of Governors, proprietors and head teachers of private secondary schools should ensure that teachers therein have access to staff development programmes which will improve their skills and encourage them to continue serving particular schools.