RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHERS’ JOB SATISFACTION, EMPLOYMENT FACTORS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN HIGH AND LOW PERFORMING PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HOMA-BAY COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The study analyzed relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction, employment factors and academic performance among secondary schools in Homa-Bay County. Ministry of Education Report (2012) indicates that Homa-Bay district, now a County used to perform well in National Examinations up to the year 2008 with teachers recording high job satisfaction. But this is now on a downward trend. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction, employment factors and academic performance in high and low performing public secondary schools in the County. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlation research designs. The population was 266 teachers and 202 principals. Data was collected through questionnaire and interviews. Validity and reliability of the instrument were established through expert opinion and Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient of 0.80 reliability test respectively. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient, Multiple Regression, Coefficient of Determination, Analysis of Variance, frequency counts and percentages. The study established that most teachers were not satisfied with their teaching profession as was signified by low job satisfaction indices. Employment factors contributed only 22.5% and 9.7% to job satisfaction in high and low performing secondary schools respectively. The relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction and academic performance was statistically not significant. Job satisfaction contributed 10.2% and 14.4% to academic performance in high and low performing secondary schools respectively. From the study, it was evident that recognition by management, working age, salary and allowance were the factors which increased most teachers’ job satisfaction and their absence accounted for poor retention of teachers in the County. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education Science and Technology review teachers’ salary upward, proper recognition mechanisms of teachers put in place and working age re-evaluated. The findings of this study are significant to the Ministry of Education Science and Technology and to the realization of Kenya Vision 2030.