Teachers’ attitude towards the teaching profession and its effects on teaching and learning in Sumbawanga municipal primary schools, Tanzania
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Unversity of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study examines teachers’ attitude towards the teaching profession and its effects on teaching and learning in Sumbawanga municipal primary schools. The study employs a mixed method approach by using case study design in which the sample composed of 109 respondents including 60 primary school teachers, 40 primary school pupils, 4 heads of primary schools, 2 teachers service department TSD, 2 School inspector and 1 education officer. Data for this study were collected through interviews, questionnaires, observation and focus group discussions. Simple random, stratified, and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the participants, and the collected data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approaches where qualitative data were analyzed by using content analysis and quantitative data were analyzed through the use of statistical package for social science (SPSS) using frequencies and percentages which were presented in the graphical and tables. The finding revealed that many teachers (almost 75 %) had negative attitude towards teaching profession, whereby the majority of them seemed to be in the teaching profession because of their poor performance and failure to get good job elsewhere. The study revealed further that, factors leading to negative attitude towards the teaching profession include, poor working and living conditions, unattractive remuneration, and inadequate resource. Finally, the study revealed also that, teachers’ negative attitude towards the teaching profession had some effect on the teaching and learning. This in turn led to additional problems such as ineffective teaching, failure to cover syllabus, lack of commitment, persistent absenteeism and poor learning. It was concluded that, if teachers’ negative attitude are left without being dealt with by improving working conditions and incentives, quality of education in primary schools will continue to deteriorate. The study recommended that in order to boost teachers positive attitude the government should set out short, medium and long-term strategies for improving teachers’ incentives, including pay teachers’ extra-duty allowances and improving living and working environment. Also special incentives scheme should be provided to teachers working in hardship conditions particularly in rural area.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LB1775.8.T34L35)
Keywords
Primary school teachers, Primary school teaching, Primary schools, Sumbawanga Municipal primary schools, Tanzania
Citation
Lamsi, T. (2016) Teachers’ attitude towards the teaching profession and its effects on teaching and learning in Sumbawanga municipal primary schools, Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam