FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE MOTIVATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS: A CASE STUDY OF THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence the motivation of primary school teachers in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was employed. A questionnaire was used to gather data. A total of 250 primary school teachers in the Tamale Metropolis were selected for the study by using the probability proportional to size and the simple random sampling techniques. The quantitative data gathered in this research was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics (tables, graphs, frequencies, percentages, etc) in relation to all the research questions. Findings from the study revealed that motivation of the primary school teachers is largely derived from monetary rewards. Also, the female teachers are more motivated than the male teachers in the Tamale Metropolis. The major factors that influence their motivation include availability of Teaching and Learning Materials, adequate infrastructure, attractive nature of classrooms, teachers‟ participation in decision making, support from SMC/PTA and Opportunities for further studies. It is recommended that governments should work hard to make the teaching profession attractive and boost the image of teachers. Some ways of motivating the primary school teacher include increase in salary/wages of teachers, provision of adequate Teaching and Learning Materials and responsibility allowance for teachers with additional roles. Others are provision of decent accommodation for teachers in the rural areas and fair and timely promotion of teachers who are due for it.