Factors influencing job satisfaction among deputy headteachers in public primary schools in Kieni-East District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing job satisfaction among deputy head teachers in public primary schools in Kieni East District. The specific research objectives forming the basis of this study included:- to determine the extent to which motivators influenced job satisfaction among deputy head teachers in public primary schools in Kieni East District; to determine the extent to which hygiene factors influenced job satisfaction among deputy head teachers in public primary schools in Kieni East District and to suggest possible ways of improving job satisfaction among deputy head teachers.

The literature review relevant to this study laid the background for the study. Herzberg's two factor theory was looked into. The study targeted deputy head teachers posted in public primary schools in Kieni East District. Survey design was selected for this study because it was not possible to control independent variables in the study. 46 respondents were selected from a population of 52 deputy head teachers. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select six pilot schools to represent the three zones in Kieni-East District.

To gather the required data a questionnaire for deputy head teachers was administered to the respondents. The questionnaire was divided into three parts which were tested for validity and reliability. All the respondents returned their questionnaires duly completed hence 100% return rate. After the questionnaires were returned, all responses were assembled for completion, organization and analysis. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0. After the data analysis the following research findings were established.

Among the motivator factors, findings revealed that the head teachers were satisfied with the recognition they received from the different stake holders in the school. Similarly on job experience, the head teachers had a high satisfaction with the elements of job experience investigated by the study. Overall, the respondents were satisfied with the task areas of their work. However on job promotions, 47.8% of them were not satisfied with the current promotion policies for deputy head teachers.

Among the hygiene factors, findings revealed that the deputy head teachers were satisfied with the leadership styles of their immediate supervisors. However, the deputy head teachers were dissatisfied with the working conditions related to their jobs. The head teachers were also not satisfied with the remuneration package offered to them: On the issue of personal relations, the head teachers were satisfied. When asked to rate their overall job satisfaction, 65.2% of the respondents were satisfied with their job. Better remuneration, increased responsibility allowance, fair and well defined promotion policies, improvement of working conditions and more and proper inservice training were the five major possible solutions required to improve job satisfaction as suggested by the deputy head teachers.

The researcher also concluded that recognition, respect, personal relations, job experience and the leadership styles of their immediate supervisors were the factors that contributed to the job satisfaction of the deputy head teachers. From the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that the ministry of education, the TSC and the school management committee improve the remuneration of deputy head teachers, improve their working conditions and review the promotion policies of deputy head teachers in a bid to improve overall job satisfaction of the Deputy Headteachers.