Are Teachers Satisfied? An Investigation of the Levels of Job Satisfaction of Public Secondary School Teachers in Kenya

Abstract

Job satisfaction is a globally important factor in determining organizational climate and subsequent worker productivity. In Kenya, job dissatisfaction is a major concern as evidenced by teacher burnout and the strikes in the teaching fraternity. This study investigated the levels of job satisfaction of public secondary school teachers in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya. Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's two factor theories guided the present study. The study's target population consisted all 903 public secondary school teachers in Kisii Central Sub County. A sample of 306 was selected by stratified random sampling to obtain a sample that was representative from all the categories of secondary schools followed by stratification according to gender. For qualitative data, twelve secondary school principals were purposively selected. The study adopted a convergent parallel research design with mixed method research approach.  Data collection tools were questionnaires (modified Sorensen self-esteem scale and job descriptive index) and interview schedule. Validity was ensured by the assistance of the two supervisors' judgment. Reliability coefficient was computed using Cronbach's Alpha and it was found to be 0.764. Quantitative data was organized using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 and the data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed using The matic analysis. Findings indicated levels of job satisfaction among secondary school teachers were moderate (M = 51.2%, SD=4.16 and SE = .26). Further examination of the job satisfaction descriptive results revealed that the teachers who had highest job satisfaction were only at 58.7%, while the teachers with least job satisfaction were at 20.4%.Teachers' service Commission should revise what it pays its teachers to match with the current economic times. This is because the study findings reported that there were moderate levels of job satisfaction. This study recommends further research in gender and efficacy school management among secondary school principals. In addition, qualifications and job retention among public secondary school teachers in Kisii Central Sub-County.