Job satisfaction among public basic school head teachers in the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate job satisfaction among head teachers in public basic schools in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. The objectives were to identify the job satisfaction levels of the head teachers, determine the effect of age on job satisfaction of head teachers, and determine the effect of gender on job satisfaction of head teachers. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of all head teachers of the 431 public basic schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. Using a simple random sampling technique, a sample of 125 head teachers were selected for the study. The study used the questionnaire as instrument for the collection of data. The descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Chi-Square test of independence was used to determine the relation between the variables of age, gender and levels of job satisfaction of head teachers. The study found that head teachers were not satisfied with aspect of the economic job variables relating to salaries, health benefits and leave time, but were moderately satisfied with some other aspects. Head teachers were moderately satisfied under the, psychological job variables and task and performance job variables. It was also established that there was a relation between age, younger head teachers were more dissatisfied than older head teachers. It was also found that there was association between gender and the economic, psychological, and task and responsibility job variables, in that females were more satisfied with some of the variables more than male head teachers. It recommended there must be regular revision of salaries and allowances for head teachers, and also, aside the National Health Insurance policy, the State, in consultation with the teacher unions must design a special health policy that will cater for the health needs of head teachers and teachers in general.