Effect of Shortage of Teachers on Job Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Geita District-Tanzania

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the shortage of teachers on job performance in public secondary schools in the Geita District. The study was guided by this objective: to investigate the effects of shortage of teachers on job performance in public secondary schools in Geita District. The study employed a mixed research approach, using a descriptive case study. The population of the study comprised of secondary schools in Geita District. The population of the study was 796 education stakeholders. The researcher targeted 4 public secondary schools in Geita District out of 36. The sample size comprised of 83 respondents; it included 1 District Education Officer, 4 heads of schools and 78 teachers. The sample was obtained by using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The study used Maslow’s and the Herzberg’s Two Factor theories. Data was collected using a single questionnaire and an interview guide; Researcher used Inter-rater reliability, which helped to ensure the accuracy of the research instruments. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS software version 20 and it was presented in the form of a table using frequencies and percentages while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The major findings of the study are as follows: the shortage of teachers seemed to hinder the job performance of teachers, which led to the uncovered syllabus, caused high level of stress among teachers due to heavy workload, it led to poor students’ academic performance and resulted to indiscipline among students. The study recommends that in order to overcome the challenges related to the shortage of teachers, the government, through the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology, should set aside enough funds for employing the required number of teachers, especially in science subjects and it should make the working environment attractive so as to motivate teachers to work hard, particularly those in peripheral areas.