Factors associated with teachers’ absenteeism in public secondary school in Tanzania: the case of Urban and North ‘A’ District in Zanzibar

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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The study investigated the factors that contribute to teachers' absenteeism in public secondary schoo1s in samp1ed districts in Zanzibar, namely Urban and North 'A ' District. Specifically, the study examine the personal factors causing teachers' absenteeism , determining school working conditions and teachers' living conditions, and to determine monetary aspects that causes teachers' absenteeism in public secondary schools. To realize the study objectives, qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed and guided by case study design. Data were collected using questionnaire, interview, documentary review and focus group discussion and data analyzed through Microsoft exce1 in connection with six public secondary schools. The study sample comprised 186 respondents; including 2 Districts Secondary Education Officers, 48 secondary students, 6 heads of the samp1ed secondary schools and 130 secondary school teachers. The research findings revealed that a large number of teachers allocated in rural area were discouraged by the schools conditions. Furthermore, the study showed that one of the major factors for teacher' absenteeism was the environmental problem. Moreover, the findings revealed that poor school working conditions and teachers' living conditions significantly contributed to teachers• absenteeism. Additional, it was found out that there was a significant relationship between monetary aspects which actua11y associated with managerial aspects. It was concluded that the major factors for teachers' absenteeism were materialistic, but also payment in kind that force teachers to minimize official working time just to spend part of or full days in private matters so as to supplement their meager incomes. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education and Vocation Training in Zanzibar has to consider salaries and incentives using alternative forms of motivation; such as teaching and house allowances.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, class mark (THS EAF LB2833.4.T34K52)
Keywords
Teacher ternover, Teacher absenteeism, Absenteeism (labour), Public secondary schools, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Citation
Khatib, A (2013) Factors associated with teachers’ absenteeism in public secondary school in Tanzania: the case of Urban and North ‘A’ District in Zanzibar, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.