The Determinants Of Job Satisfaction Among Secondary School Teachers

            Job satisfaction is not a new phenomenon at all in any organization. It is one of the topics that have drawn interest among scholars in the field. Many studies have been done on this particular topic for over six decades and thousands of articles have been published (Zembylas& Papantasiu,2006). Job satisfaction has been defined as “a pleasurable emotional state arising from the appraisal of one’s job, an affective reaction to one’s job, and an attitude towards one job (Ubom, 2001). It has also been shown that when job satisfaction in the teaching profession increases, turnover decreases (Robert, 2004).

            Job satisfaction as a social construct does not have a precise definition as it is exposed to different meanings and interpretations from different scholars. There is a lack of consensus on what actually constitutes job satisfaction, Locke and Lathan see job satisfaction as the pleasurable or positive emotional or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job or job experience. A different definition of job satisfaction considers it to be an emotional reaction based on the comparison between actual and expected outcomes (Stone, 1992). Workers' decisions about whether to work or not and what kinds of jobs to accept or stay in are all likely to depend on the evaluation of their job satisfaction. However, job satisfaction among teachers can be described as the extent to which teachers are satisfied with their job, and the degree to which teachers are having the pleasurable and positive feelings that individuals have towards their jobs.

            Since a nation’s progress depends on the quality of education which in turn depends on the quality of teachers, then the quality of teaching is well related to the satisfaction of the teachers with their job. It is important that teachers are satisfied with their job because satisfaction is an important factor in the achievement of the established goals and objectives of teaching. Humanity rises or falls, grows or declines, flourishes or withers, not only in the nation but also at the universal level, depending on the education it gets. These problems coupled with the challenges of the global economy pose a major concern to the government and board of education.

            Students’ achievement is expected to be high to satisfy parents and stakeholders and to match with the present world of high technological know-how. Teachers’ dissatisfaction and its effects on teacher retention pose a great threat to a profession with an increasing demand for members. The quest for teachers’ satisfaction with effective classroom instruction is a major issue facing Nigeria today. Against this background, the researcher investigated determinants of job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State.

 

Statement of the problem

            The concerns of most organisations, in the submission of Amoda, Odunaike and Oluwaseun (2007).is the attitude of the workers to work. Workers are expected to be dedicated and committed to their work. Adeyemo (2001) however, observed that it is common to hear people remark that present-day teachers are not as good or committed as their former counterparts, when teachers are truly not committed to their work, it is an indication of dissatisfaction with their job. Studies from diverse nations of the world indicate that teachers have at one time or the other been dissatisfied with their job. As such, there is a need to identify the factors that bring about job satisfaction. This means that it might not be a continuous experience. Hence, teachers who are satisfied with their work today might be satisfied with it tomorrow or vice-versa. This implies that consistent research is required to ascertain the job satisfaction status of teachers at a particular time.

            A closer examination of job satisfiers among secondary school teachers in Nigeria, however, showed that there is still a gap to be filled. In view of these, the present study investigated the determinants of job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria.

 

 

Purpose of the study

            The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to:

1. identify the level of job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in secondary schools in Moro Local Government, Kwara State.
2. determine the factors that contribute to teachers' job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in Moro LGA Kwara state.
3. examine the socio-economic factor that determines job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in Moro LGA Kwara State.
4. investigate the coping strategies adopted by teachers in managing job satisfaction in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Research questions

1. What is the level of job satisfaction of secondary school teachers in Moro LGA, Kwara State?
2. What are the socioeconomic factors that determine job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in Moro LGA Kwara State?
3. What are the factors that contribute to the job satisfaction of teachers in secondary schools in Moro LGA Kwara State?
4. What are the coping strategies adopted by teachers in managing job satisfaction in secondary schools in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State?

Significance of the study

            The study is significant to the government at all levels, of education, the parents, education planners, policymakers as well as other stakeholders in education. The finding of this study would help the public and private schools to know certain factors that determine job satisfaction among secondary school teachers, thereby making the school management develop appropriate strategies to enhance teacher job satisfaction in school.

            The finding of this study would also serve as sources of reference for other researchers who may want to conduct similar studies in other parts of the country.

Scope of the study

            The study comprised all public secondary schools in Moro LGA, 23 (Twenty-three) out of secondary schools in Moro Local Government Area were be used for this study 200 out of 300 teachers in Moro Local Government Area teachers were be used as respondents for the secondary the indicators for the determinant of job satisfaction was measured based on levels of job satisfaction, socio-economic factor and coping strategies among other. The study was limited to the selected secondary schools within Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Definitions of Terms

Motivation: to the complex forces, drive, need or other mechanisms that start and maintain voluntary activity directed toward the achievement of personal goals(salary promotion have, recognition) in secondary schools in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Job satisfaction:  the state of steadfastness or contentment in the type of job that one does.

Job characteristics: refers to the content and nature of the tasks themselves.

Secondary school: refers to the post-primary school that offers formal education to pupils who have successfully completed six years of primary education and have met the requisite entry requirement to junior secondary school (3 years).

EDITOR SOURCES:

1.        The Determinants Of Job Satisfaction Among Secondary School Teachers

2.       The Determinants Of Job Satisfaction Among Secondary School Teachers

3.       The Determinants Of Job Satisfaction Among Secondary School Teachers

Strategies For Improving Low Academic Performance In the English Language In Secondary Schools

The modern trend in education and the complex nature of learning and instruction have made the role of the teachers more challenging. This new role does not just involve the more transmission of information to students but it involves looking at the problems associated with learning and instruction. The National Policy on Education (NPE, 2004) in Nigeria emphasized that our children should be educated properly so that they can acquire skills and competencies that would enable them to function well and solve problems in society. The accomplishment and realization of these important educational goals in Nigeria lie in the new trend in educational approaches.

These new approaches to learning and instruction expose the students to conceptualize and effectively manage their own learning and thus reinforce their learning and transfer their training to practical situations. Despite the new approach to learning and instruction, the English language at the Senior Secondary School level in Nigeria has been plagued with poor results and low achievements. Annual results from West African Examinations Council (WAEC) reveal woeful performances from the students who have made enrolment for English language examinations a yearly ritual. It is worrisome to note too that the performance of these students has continued to deteriorate year after year. It is understood that if the situation in the English Language remains like this, it will affect both the economic and technological growth of the state. This is because a good mastery of the English language is mandatory for all students in order to do well in other secondary school subjects. Students who are handicapped in the English language are therefore likely to be handicapped in the acquisition of skills in arts and technology-related subjects.

From the foregoing, therefore, we can conclude that the English language is an indispensable language of communication in Kaduna.

1.2      Statement of the Problem

This research as stated above concerns itself with the study of strategies for improving low academic performance in the English language by suggesting a possible solution to the following questions:

1. i) What are the attitude/feelings of the students towards the studying English language?
2. ii) What accounts for the decline in performance in the subject (English language)?

• iii) Do they have enough material and human resources for the teaching and learning process?

1. iv) Do they understand the subject very well?
2. v) Does the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) syllabus have either a positive or a negative effect on student performance?

1.3      Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to find out strategies for improving the performance of secondary school students in the English language. Specifically, it ought to:

1. i) To find out the types of facilities available in the secondary schools for teaching the English language.
2. ii) To identify the methods of teaching used in teaching the English language.

• iii) To identify the extent to which teachers are motivated to teach the English language.

1. iv) To identify strategies for improving the low academic performance of students in the English language.

1.4      Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

1. i) What type of facilities is available for teaching the English language in secondary schools in Kaduna State?
2. ii) What are the methods of teaching adopted by English Language teachers?

• iii) To what extent are English Language teachers motivated?

1. iv) What are the strategies for improving the low academic performance of students in the English Language?
• Significance of the Study

This research work intends to investigate student achievement in the subject. The research will be significant in the following ways:

1. i) The findings of the study will shed light on the nature, contents examination and performance level of the SSCE examination.
2. ii) The findings of the study will contribute meaningfully to the knowledge of teaching and learning the English language, especially with the role of English in day-to-day communication.

• iii) The findings of the students will also benefit the Ministry of Education in Kaduna State by recruiting qualified teachers in order to improve the performance of the students.

1.6      Delimitation of the Study

The study covers strategies for improving low academic performance in the English Language in Secondary Schools in Kaduna State. Respondents were drawn from selected secondary schools in Kaduna North Local Government Area.

1.7      Limitation of the Study

In any type of research work, are many hindrances that the researcher must come across in the course of the assignment. The problem encountered in the course of this could be attributed to delays in gathering the relevant data needed for the research work and the uncompromising attitude of the people to give the required information. Time is another major limitation as far as the research work is concerned. The time needed to implement the work may not be sufficient for logistic reasons. Financial resources may be lacking in carrying out the required work of the project.

1.8      Definition of Terms

• Performance: This relates to the execution carried out or putting into effect the task, job or operation.
• Teacher: A professional trained to impart knowledge to pupils/students.
• Assessment: Evaluation or estimation of the nature, value or quality of something or a subject.
• Effectiveness: It is the ability to determine appropriate objectives, that is, the degree to which School’s goals are met within established resources “doing the right thing.”
• Indiscipline: This can be described as a mode of life not in conformation with rules and non-subjection to contain. The term connotes the regulations capable of obstructing the smooth and orderly function of the school system
• Reading: This is the process of receiving and interpreting information encoded in language form via the medium of print.
• Writing: Writing is the process by which an author uses his mental ability to put words to paper as well as the result of that process.
• Speech: Expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds.
• Mother Tongue: This is the original and first language of an individual which they acquire from their parents.
• L2: This is language two. This is a second that is learnt as a second language in addition to their mother tongue.
• FGN: Acronym for Federal Government of Nigeria.
• Curriculum: Curriculum is the subjects comprising a step-by-step guide of a course of study in a school.

 

 

ABSTRACT

This study examines strategies for improving low academic performance in the English language in secondary schools in Kaduna state. Over the years, there has been a consistent decline in students’ performance in the English Language. This sordid situation has caused teachers, parents, curriculum experts and evaluators a serious concern. To carry out this investigation, data were collected from thirty-eight (38) English language teachers randomly from twenty secondary schools in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Analysis of the data revealed that poorly trained English language teachers, poor instructional delivery, lack of infrastructural facilities, teachers’ attitude toward innovation, and the traditional content/knowledge-oriented curriculum were factors associated with students’ low performance in the English language. Based on the findings recommendations were made on strategies that will improve the quality of performance in the subject. In this work, data was collected in the area of material, facilities and human resources available for teaching the subject, using questionnaires, personal interviews and relevant textbooks. Put together, the research questionnaire distributed was forty.

 

 

 

EDITOR SOURCES:

1.       Strategies For Improving Low Academic Performance In English Language In Secondary Schools In Cross River State

2.       Strategies For Improving Low Academic Performance In English Language In Secondary Schools In Cross River State

3.       Strategies For Improving Low Academic Performance In English Language In Secondary Schools In Cross River State