TEACHER MOTIVATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF LUNZA ZONE IN BUTERE DISTRICT KENYA

ABSTRACT

This was a study carried out in selected secondary schools in Lunza zone, in

Butere district to investigate the relationship between teacher motivationS and

academic performance of learners in those schools. The following objectives

guided the study; to establish whether bureaucratic structures influence

students ~performance; to establish whether situational/organizational variables•’

influence students’ performance; and to establish whether job satisfaction of the

teachers in secondary schools influences the level of academic performance of

secondary schools. The study employed se~f administered questionnaires with

pre- corded question, interviews were also used and observations were made in

the collection of the relevant data. Findings revealed that many of the

respondents were uncomfortable and displeased at the bureaucratic structures

which could be leading to demotivation of teachers. ft again emerged that

organizational variables such as time of rest, recognition of teachers were less

felt in teaching fraternity. The researcher also found out that teachers are not

aware of their rights and what that means in the teaching profession. ft was

recommended; that the government of Kenya should increase teachers and

concentration in their teaching profession which will henceforth increase the

academic performance of students .ft was also recommended that the•~•

government should develop structures like performance related pay (PRP) so that

at least those who are committed to their work have equity in payments and

remuneration. Incentives should also be given to teachers so that they can enjoy

what they do, and this will eventually be passed on the way they handle pupils

in class which will eventually improve the academic performance of students.

There should be more awareness and institutionalization of the notion of

motivation to Kenyan teachers, so that they can readily know its performance

and hence yield results. Students should endeavor to ask their parents to buy

them necessary school equipments and any other scholastic materials. The

ministry of education of Kenya should be made aware that however much Ihey

want performance they should motivate teachers in rural areas not only focusing

on the easily accessible urban teachers.