Organizational factors and teachers' attrition in secondary schools in bukedea district, uganda.

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the role organizational factors played in teachers' attrition in secondary schools in Bukedea District. This was because, despite the efforts by Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports, in improving on salary and welfare of teachers, there is still teachers' attrition in secondary schools in Bukedea District and Uganda as a whole. Using a cross-sectional research design, with purposive, convenience and random sampling, the study was conducted in seven secondary schools in Bukedea District. Data targeted a sample population of 99 respondents, who included, Head teachers, Directors of studies, classroom teachers and former teachers. The questionnaires were used to help elicit opinions that would be unobservable and was time saving. Semi-structured interview and interview guide consisting of open ended questions were used. While qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data was sorted, coded, edited and classified into categories. Findings showed that; head teachers' leadership styles influenced teachers' attrition in secondary schools. The schools using autocratic leadership styles have high attrition rate because the teachers do not have freedom to express their ideas, invent and apply new teaching styles. In most of the schools the rewards system tended to affect teachers' attrition. The government schools paid teachers well, their teachers tended to go for further studies to acquire higher qualifications in teaching field and consolidate their positions while teachers in private schools which paid relatively lower salaries tended to change professions in search for better monetary payment. Similarly working conditions influenced teachers' attrition in secondary schools in Bukedea district. The head teachers who provided relatively favorable working conditions which facilitated learning and teaching tended to attract their teachers to remain in teaching profession because they worked in good environment. The results implied that organizational factors such as head teachers' leadership styles, rewards systems and working conditions significantly influenced teachers' attrition in secondary schools in Bukedea district. There is need to introduce career development schemes offered on merit system to provide avenues for teachers to acquire higher qualifications based on their talent and competency. This will enable teachers acquire latest skills and knowledge in teaching profession and reduce on the rate of attrition.