Job Satisfaction of Basic Education Teachers in Southeast Asia: Key Issues and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

This article is taken from the research study, “Job Satisfaction of Basic Education Teachers in Southeast Asia”, a collaborative endeavor among SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) Centers.  It presents the key issues affecting the level of job satisfaction among basic education teachers in Southeast Asia and provides policy recommendations to increase teacher job satisfaction and motivation. The study employs Herzberg’s Dual Factor Theory of Motivation: Hygiene factor and motivator factor; online survey, group discussion and forum are instruments used to gather data.  Analysis of responses has demonstrated that the sources of job dissatisfaction are found to be both hygiene factor and motivator factor. The top three sources of job dissatisfaction are (1) job security (salary, chances to be reclassified/ promoted/ transferred to better school, appreciation and rewards, benefits, and overall job security); (2) work environment (accessibility of textbooks, supplies, equipment, copy machine, and others, supervisor assisting teacher to improve instruction, working conditions e.g., lighting, ventilation, working space, dormitory, and others, working relationships among peers, and student’s behavior), and (3) job responsibility (workloads e.g., teaching, administrative, and paper works, instructional materials used in the school, teaching assignment relative to specialization, teacher’s autonomy to improve teaching, and grade level curriculum). Significantly, the results indicate that the greatest source of job dissatisfaction is hygiene factor.  Further research on key issues affecting teacher job satisfaction unexplored in this study is necessary.