Teachers perceived work-related quality of life at four Junior Secondary Schools in Mogoditshane-Thamaga Sub-District, Botswana

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the perception of teachers in junior schools about the level of quality of work life they have in their workplaces junior schools). To measure the perception , the study used a theory of "Work-Related Quality of Life". The measuring instrument used was a work-related Quality of Life Scale developed by Van Laar, Edwards and Easton in 2007. The target population of the study was teachers at four junior secondary schools in the town of Mogoditshane and Gabane, Botswana. The study was conducted within the quantitative paradigm, using a cross-sectional survey design. The objectives of the research were to measure the perceived quality of work life amongst teachers, establish if there are significant differences in the quality of work life levels between gender, age groups, position, department and school, establish the inter-correlation between the subscales of the quality of work-related life scale and ; lastly to suggest measures for implementation to improve the quality of work life of teachers. The data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed through the use of descriptive statistical analyses, Cohen's d, to compare the mean scores between the demographic variables and the sub-dimensions of the quality of work life scale and total scale, and Pearson product-moment coefficient, to measure the association between the five factors and total quality of work life scale. The results came out depicting a negative perception whereupon , against that backdrop, the study made several recommendations to the key stakeholder, being the government and Ministry of Education . The recommendations were made on three dimensions that the results showed dissatisfaction with . The recommendations were on working conditions, home-work interface and job career satisfaction. The Botswana government should work towards the improvement of both teacher work conditions and the career opportunities available in teaching. The study further suggested the introduction of work-life balance policies for teachers.