Factors influencing absenteeism among junior high school teachers in Atimatim circuit in the Afigya Kwabre South district

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out factors influencing absenteeism among Junior High Schools teachers in Atimatim Circuit in the Afigya Kwabre South District. Descriptive survey design using the mixed method approach was employed for the study. Census sampling technique was used for the study. In all a sample size of one hundred and twenty four (124) were used for the study comprising of 116 teachers and 8 heads. Questionnaire and interview guide were used as the data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data whilst the qualitative study was analysed using themes. The study revealed that personal factors influence teacher absenteeism, it was established that illness, low salary, engagement in other economic activities, further studies and bereavement among others constitute the personal challenges influencing teacher absenteeism .Again, the study found that poor leadership style which provides un-enabling working environment , poor staff welfare in the school and teachers who are given other administrative duties among others were school factors that affect teacher absenteeism. As to how environmental factors cause teacher absenteeism, the study established that assigning of non-teaching duties to teachers, being members of teachers’ union and teachers’ strike affects teacher absenteeism. The study further revealed that issuing of query letters to teachers’ who absent themselves will serve as deterrent while institution of recognition and reward systems for teacher attendance could be employed as motivating/incentive strategies to stop teacher absenteeism. The study recommended that Ghana Education Service (GES) should enforce regular supervision and monitoring of teachers’ by heads of institution. This can be done through encouraging all schools to have frequently updated teachers attendance registers, class attendance registers and teachers permission book/file.