Effectiveness of Teacher Motivation in Influencing Pupils' Performance in Standard Seven National Examinations in Public and Private Primary Schools

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of teacher motivation in influencing pupils' performance in Standard Seven National Examinations in public and private primary schools in Tarime District Council, Mara Region Tanzania. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent to which teacher motivation influences academic performance of pupils at the primary school level. The study employed quantitative approach where by cross sectional survey design was used. A total number of 213 respondents were involved in the study. The researchers used stratified random sampling technique to select 88 teachers and 110 pupils. All the 11 head teachers from the selected primary schools and all the 4 school quality assurance officers from the District were involved in the study by virtue of their positions. Data collection instruments were questionnaires, structured interview schedule and document analysis guide. Descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used to analyse the data. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient as well as Independent T- test. The study found out that, there is a positive relationship between levels of teachers' motivation and pupils' performance in both public and private schools. Thus, when levels of teacher motivation are low, the performance of pupils was also found to be low. Similarly, when levels of teacher motivation are high, the performance of pupils was also found to be high. The study further found out that there is a significant difference in the levels of teachers' motivation between public and private primary schools in Tarime District Council.  The study concluded that, teachers in private primary schools are far more satisfied with their working conditions than teachers in public primary schools. The study recommended that, employers in both public (government) and private schools should improve the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of teachers so as to have good pupils' performance in Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE).