Teacher motivation and job satisfaction in universal primary education schools in Paicho sub-county Gulu district, Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between teacher motivation and job satisfaction in Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in Paicho Sub-County Gulu district, Uganda. The research objectives were to determine the relationship between basic salary and teachers' job satisfaction in UPE ·primary schools in Paicho Sub-County, to establish the relationship between working condition and teachers' job satisfaction in UPE primary schools in Paicho Sub-County, to determine · the relationship between promotion opportunity and teachers' job satisfaction in UPE primary schools in Paicho Sub-County and to establish the relationship between job recognition and teachers' job satisfaction in UPE primary schools in Paicho Sub-County. The study adopted a correlation research design. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. The sample size consisted of 144 respondents. A simple random sampling technique to select the 144 teachers/respondents from the IO primary schools. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Spearman rank order correlation coefficient). Findings revealed a significantly strong positive relationship (rho = .864) between basic salary and teachers' job satisfaction, a significantly strong positive relationship (rho = .909) between working condition and teachers' job satisfaction, a significantly strong positive relationship (rho = .813) between promotion opportunity and teachers' job satisfaction and a significantly strong positive relationship (rho = .864) between job recognition and teachers' job satisfaction. lt was concluded. first of all, that it is imperative to understand the complex nature in the compensation-job satisfaction relationship and to improve compensation in order to meet the needs of employees. Secondly. promoting employees and improving their working conditions greatly determine the level of job satisfaction. Lastly, teacher motivation plays an important role in teachers' job satisfaction.