The factors affecting educators' job performance and job satisfaction in selected Rekopantswe AO Secondary School

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting educators' job performance and job satisfaction in selected Rekopantswe AO schools of the North-West Province. The literature study was carried out on relevant theories, outcomes of previous studies involving similar issues and empirical inquiry tailed. The researcher used a sequential explanatory strategy i.e. a mixed-methods starting with quantitative method followed by qualitative method. The structured questionnaire was used in the quantitative phase in which 150 survey instruments were issued but 132 responses were received/returned. The second part, the qualitative phase used interviews with 10 educators who also took part in the quantitative phase. The findings suggest that educators generally have a variety of challenges in different schools that affect their job performance and job satisfaction. These factors included lack of support, inadequate remuneration, learner ill-discipline, challenges in learner assessments and promotions, learner age cohort, fraudulent promotional posts, underachieving learners, lack of safety and security, school location, congested work schedules, overcrowding and overload as well as poor leadership styles. The findings further indicate that a lack of satisfaction in one's job results in demotivation which affects the job performance of educators, suggesting a relationship between job performance and job satisfaction. This agrees with Spector (2008) who maintains that there is a two-way link connecting job performance and job satisfaction. The study concludes that satisfaction may usher improved job performance and performance may show the way to job satisfaction. The study then recommends that the national treasury and DBE should look into the overview of market-related remuneration packages to attract new educators, hence addressing poor salaries and most probably shortage of educators as an approach to elevate educators' job performance and job satisfaction.