Determinants Of Teachers’ Perception On The Implementation Of Performance Contract In Primary Schools In Kasipul Division, Homabay County, Kenya

Abstract

The study purpose was to establish the determinants of perception of teachers on the performance contract in Kasipul Division, Rachuonyo South Sub-County of Homabay County in Kenya. Specifically, the study was set to establish how sensitization, trade unions, collegialism and personal characteristics like age, gender and education influence the teachers’ perception on the performance contract implementation. The study adopted descriptive survey design where the target population consisted of 183 head teachers, 800 teachers, KNUT and TSC officials. The sample consisted of 50 head teachers, 150 teachers, 18 KNUT officials from the zones and 15 TSC officials. Random sampling was used to select all the participants. The study used questionnaires and interview schedule to collect data. Quantitative data, which include responses in the questionnaires were tabulated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) computer software. Descriptive Statistics used such as frequencies, percentages, and pie –charts were used to analyze quantitative responses. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis where responses were grouped into themes. The study established that sensitization of teachers on performance contract positively and to a very great extent influence their perception towards PC implementation as it makes them aware of what is expected from them, teachers’ trade unions do not support PC and this negatively influences teachers’ perception towards implementation process, collegiality is a vital aspect of teacher professional development and a vehicle to increase teacher knowledge on performance contract. It influences on teachers’ perception on the implementation of performance contract. Personal characteristics such as age, gender and education were found to influence teachers’ perception on the implementation of performance contract. The following recommendations were made: The teachers service commission should ensure that not only head teachers are sensitized on performance contract but all teachers, trade unions should stop opposing and inciting teachers on implementation of performance contract and support TSC to increase productivity and service delivery among teachers, collegiality should be encouraged in all schools and older and female teachers should be motivated and encouraged to embrace performance contract for effective implementation. Suggestions for further studies include; the relationship between teachers service commission and teachers’ unions on teachers’ perception towards the implementation of performance contract, institutional factors influencing teachers’ perception towards the implementation of performance contract and a replica of the study should be carried out in secondary school in the same area.