Factors contributing to low teacher morale in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region, Namibia

Abstract

This study sought to explore the factors that contribute to low teachers’ morale in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region, Namibia. The study was guided by the following research questions: What are the factors that contribute to low teacher morale in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region?; How does teachers’ low morale influence their execution of duties in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region?; How does low teacher morale influence the academic performance of learners in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region? And which strategies can be put in place to raise teachers' morale in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region? A qualitative exploratory design was used to explore the lived contextual experiences of teachers, in order to determine the factors contributing to low teachers’ morale. A purposive sampling technique was used to select twenty (20) teachers from four (4) selected secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region. The study used an interview with open-ended questions to collect data from the participants. The qualitative data from open ended questions were organised into themes and sub-themes. The majority of the participants revealed that there was low morale amongst teachers in secondary schools in Oshana Educational Region. The factors contributing to low teacher morale in secondary schools were: work environment, school leadership, learners’ interest in their education, parental involvement in education and admission policies. The study concluded that as a result of the above-mentioned factors, teachers suffer from low morale therefore, influencing the academic performance of learners in secondary schools in the Oshana Educational Region. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture should recognise the efforts of teachers, improve the work environment for teachers, as well as to strengthen personal and professional development programmes for teachers and school principals.