Influence of Kenya National Union of Teachers’ Practices on Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Public Secondary Schools in Rachuonyo East Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Job satisfaction is a crucial and essential feature in the global workforce across all sectors. Job happiness is positively correlated with good productivity and improved performance, while concurrently decreasing instances of bad performance. This study examined the impact of the practices of the Kenya National Union of Teachers on the job satisfaction of teachers in public secondary schools in Rachuonyo East Sub-County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to address the welfare concerns of union members, improve the working environment for teachers, educate members on union practices, examine the impact of local teacher trade union politics and management on teacher job satisfaction in selected public secondary schools in Rachuonyo East sub-county, Kenya. This study is based on Herzberg's Motivator-Hygiene theory, which offers an analytical perspective on employee satisfaction. The concept differentiates between the aspects of employee satisfaction, categorizing them as hygiene factors (which cause dissatisfaction) and motivators (which lead to satisfaction). The study utilized a descriptive survey research design. The research was conducted by surveying 42 public secondary schools in Rachuonyo East sub-county, Kenya. The sample was dispersed among 15 school principals, 185 teachers, and 3 trade union officials. They were then asked to respond to a mobile-based survey that included Likert scale-designed items. The trade union officials were further involved by asking unstructured questions in order to obtain clarification on the teachers' responses. The data analysis encompassed both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The qualitative data were presented just as they were reported and

analysed through a narrative approach. The study followed the research ethical principles of obtaining informed permission, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity, prioritizing the principle of non-maleficence, and adhering to the regulations, policies, and standards outlined in Kenya's Data Protection Act (2019). The findings suggest that the four factors - effect of teacher union on welfare, education, representation, and local politics - have a strong and statistically significant association with teacher work satisfaction. This is indicated by the chi-square test results, where all the p-values were found to be 0.000. Therefore, it was determined that teacher unions should prioritize and commit their efforts to bolstering teacher well-being, providing effective advocacy, improving teacher training, and promoting inclusive and participatory local teacher union politics. The study suggests that the teacher union in Rachuonyo East should consistently involve the teachers in their activities. Future research should analyse the impact of changes in government policies and shifts in teacher participation on the efficacy of trade unions in carrying out their mandate and representing teachers