| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was three fold. First, the study set out to investigate
job satisfaction levels among diploma teachers in public primary schools in Kirinyaga
and Nyeri Districts. Secondly, the study investigated whether there was any
significant difference between job satisfaction among the diploma teachers and the
following selected independent variables: gender, marital status, designation, age and
teaching experience. Thirdly, the study elicited information on how to improve job
satisfaction among the diploma teachers.
In order to obtain the study guidelines, literature related to this study was
reviewed. In particular, four theories of work motivation and job satisfaction were
discussed. These theories included expectancy, equity, need-hierarchy and twofactor.
The four discussed theories of motivation and job satisfaction formed the
theoretical framework of this study.
The research methodology outlined research design, target population, sample
and sampling procedure, research instrument, pre testing of the research instrument,
data collection procedure and data analysis technique. The research design used was
Ex post facto.
The questionnaire was used as the sole research instrument. In order to
validate the research instrument, the results of the pilot study, which was conducted
among ten diploma teachers were used. Further, the reliability of the instrument was
found to be 0.85 by using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and
Spearman Brown Prophecy formula.
The population sample of this study consisted of 70 diploma teachers in public
primary schools in Kirinyaga and Nyeri Districts. However, it was 66 diploma
teachers who responded and returned duly completed questionnaires. This represented
94.29 per cent return rate.
Data was analysed using two statistical tools; two tailed t-tests and one-way
analysis of variance (ANOVA). Hypotheses one to three were tested using two tailed
t-test while hypotheses four and five were tested using analysis of variance at 0.05
level of significance. To analyse the open ended items, frequencies and percentages
were used.
The following were the major findings of the study:
1. The diploma teachers were dissatisfied in five job factors investigated (promotion,
remuneration, work content, working conditions, school administration and
supervision), and were slightly satisfied in the job factors of recognition, job
security and interpersonal relations.
2. The diploma teachers had a very low overall job satisfaction level.
3. There was no significant difference between job satisfaction among the diploma
teachers and their gender.
4. There was no significant difference between job satisfaction among the diploma
teachers and their marital status. However, married diploma teachers were
generally more satisfied than the unmarried ones.
5. There was no significant difference between job satisfaction among the diploma
teachers and their designation, except in the job factors of promotion and school
administration and supervision where a significant difference was noted.
6. There was no significant difference between job satisfaction among the diploma
teachers and their age.
7. There was no significant difference between job satisfaction among the diploma
teachers and their teaching experience.
The following were the major recommendations made:
1. The opportunities for promotion among the diploma teachers in public schools
should be increased. This could be by creating such posts as heads of departments.
2. Promotion of teachers in public primary schools should be based on professional
and academic qualifications.
3. The diploma teachers' salary and allowances need to be raised.
4. Ministry of Education needs to encourage strong parental and community support
for the schools.
5. Primary school head teachers need to be trained in school administration through
i.n-servic.e courses.
6. Diploma teachers need to be given refresher courses in primary school curriculum.
7. There is need for the terms and conditions of service of the teaching profession to
be improved in order to promote teachers' status in the society.
The following areas were recommended for further research:
1. A replication of this study could be conducted in other districts in order to
compare findings and try to improve the instrument for future research.
2. There is need for a comparative study of job satisfaction between diploma
teachers in prim~ schools and diploma teachers in secondary schools | en |
