The Influence of Indiscipline on Teacher’s Attrition in Public Secondary Schools in Kilimanjaro and Manyara Regions, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper intended to assess the influence of indiscipline on teacher attrition in public secondary schools in Kilimanjaro and Manyara regions. Specifically, the paper aimed at examining the indiscipline cases that cause teachers’ attrition; examine the frequency of cases on indiscipline issues; and the measures taken to address indiscipline cases. The paper was guided by motivation theory based on conduct for efficient management and administration of punishment to violators. The study employed cross section research design with mixed approaches. The sample size of the study was 140 respondents. Simple random and snow ball sampling was used to select in-service and teachers who left teaching respectively. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and binary logistic regression. The findings revealed that examination malpractices, student sex harassment and truancy influenced teacher attrition. Among the measures taken were: transfer, summary dismissal and reduction in salary that led to teachers quitting teaching. As for frequency of indiscipline cases among teachers, the study revealed the mean score of indiscipline as above 50 per cent which revealed that the variable influences teacher attrition. The study concludes that indiscipline cases influences teacher attrition. The study recommends to the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government to improve teachers discipline by equipping Teacher Service Commission staff with all necessary inputs to supervise accordingly. School management should remind their staff on professional code of ethics, and the Government should execute the law number 3 of 1972 for teachers who engaged in indiscipline cases by imposing severe punishment to offenders.