Motivation as a factor in the retention of technical teachers

Abstract

This study focused on the retention of specialist teachers trained at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), Jamaica, and examined the reasons given for staying or leaving teaching. It employed Herzberg's model of motivation to determine career satisfaction in terms of the Hygiene needs and the True Motivators. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 262 specialist teachers, and interviews were conducted with a sample of 12 principals of secondary schools in which CAST teachers taught. The results showed that specialist teachers were more satisfied with their jobs than their counterparts in other careers. They not only liked their jobs better, but felt that there were opportunities for them to use their expertise and become ego-involved in their chosen career of teaching. This finding was supported by the principals, who showed that CAST teachers were readily promoted to Heads of Section. However, it was found that the Hygiene needs of the teachers were not being satisfied, as within three years of completing their diploma, more than half had left teaching because of inadequate salary and remuneration. The better qualified the teacher, the greater likelihood of leaving.