Determinants of Status of the Teaching Profession: A case of Ukerewe District; in Tanzania
Abstract
Description
The thrust of the study was the determinants of status of the teaching profession at
Ukerewe District. The main purpose of this study was to investigate to what extent the
status of teachers has influenced the teaching professional in Ukerewe district. The study
objectives were: To examine the extent to which teachers` discipline contributes to the
status of teachers and teaching profession, to investigate the extent to which teachers`
remuneration contribute to the status of teachers and teaching profession and finally to
determine the extent to which working conditions contribute to the status of teachers and
teaching profession in Ukerewe district. The research used mixed approach to encounter
mistakes of using single approach. The study used 138 respondents who were teachers,
students, and school board members, heads of schools and district officer these were
selected from 8 secondary schools of Ukerewe district through simple and purposive
sampling. Data were collected by using questionnaire, interview and focus group
discussion methods. The study revealed that, currently the teaching profession has lost its
glory and attractiveness toward young graduate and society, status is very low compared
to early day of independence and teachers themselves are the ones who contribute toward
this case through their disruptive behavior. Also it found that there were poor workplace
environment and lack of motivations to teachers, which contribute to decrease the
morality of workers, turnover of teachers and lowering status of teachers and teaching
profession. The study recommends that teachers association, schools, and government
should continue conduct seminars to instill professional ethics and code of conduct as
well as improve workplace environment so as to protect the honor and dignity of the
teaching profession.
Keywords
Teaching Profession