The Influence of Indiscipline on Teacher’s Attrition in Public Secondary Schools in Kilimanjaro and Manyara Regions, Tanzania: Teacher’s discipline, Teacher’s indiscipline, Teacher attrition.

Teacher’s discipline, Teacher’s indiscipline, Teacher attrition.

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.