Factors affecting teacher retention in government-aided secondary schools in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors affecting teacher retention in government secondary schools in Eastern Uganda. The objectives of the study included: to establish the effect of remuneration on teacher retention in government secondary schools in Eastern Uganda; to find out the effect of conditions of working environment on teacher retention in government secondary schools in Eastern Uganda and to examine the effect of a general school management on teacher retention in government secondary schools in Eastern Uganda.

The study used cross-sectional survey research design adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The researcher used a sample of 370 respondents. Simple random sampling and Purposive sampling was used. Methods of data collections were questionnaires and interviews guides. Pearson’s correlation co-efficient was used to determine whether there is linear relationship between the independent (IV) and dependent variables (DV). Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis.

Findings of the study revealed that there was a strong positive relationship between teacher remuneration and teacher retention. There was a very strong positive relationship between teacher conditions of working environment and teacher retention. There was a very strong positive relationship between general school management and teacher retention.

The research concluded that remuneration, conditions of working environment and general school management had positive relationship with retention.

The study recommends that; Schools should give adequate and timely remuneration and fringe benefits to teachers; Schools should take into consideration the maintenance (hygiene) factors that are necessary to avoid dissatisfaction among teachers and the motivators that contribute to teachers’ job satisfaction; Schools should ensure that teachers are treated fairly with in the school and in relation to employees of other organizations.