Factors Inhibiting Job Satisfaction among Teachers Working in Rural Secondary Schools in Murang’a South District, Kenya

Abstract

The paper examined the factors inhibiting job satisfaction of teachers working in rural secondary schools in Murang’a South District. Descriptive survey design was used to carry out the study, while the research instrument comprised questionnaires, interview schedules and observation. Both stratified and simple random samplings were employed to select schools and teachers, while purposive sampling was used to sample principals and their deputies. Further, purposive sampling was used to collect data from interviews. The sample size comprised 139 participants (12 were principals, 17 deputy principals and 127 teachers). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study findings established majority of teachers mentioned lack of motivation, little pay, poor working conditions, students’ indiscipline, frequent student absenteeism and school drop outs as major factors inhibiting their job satisfaction. In addition, other causes of dissatisfaction mentioned included; parents’ indifference or parents’ interventions in schools, lack of facilities like fully equipped laboratories, text books and unfair promotions. The study concluded that the factor inhibiting job satisfaction of teachers partly contributed to teachers’ intention to leave the teaching profession and the desire to seek transfer to better places. The study recommended that Teacher Service Commission should review the salary for teachers in line with the other civil servants in the government ministries. The study further recommended the pay should be commensurate and competitive with those of other sectors of the economy to act as a measure against high teacher turn over experienced in the recent years.

Keywords:  Demotivators, Job satisfaction, Teachers, Secondary Schools, Murang’a South District, Kenya