Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction among Secondary School Deputy Principals in Hamisi District, Kenya

Abstract

Deputy Principals playa pivotal role in management of schools. The prerequisite of good job performance by a deputy principal is job satisfaction. However, when they are not satisfied they are likely to decline the position of deputy headship. From 2008 to 2012, four deputy Principals resigned, 2 were demoted and 15 refused to take up deputy headship in Hamisi District, citing deputy headship position as not' fulfilling. This was contrary to other neighbouring districts like Sabatia, Vihiga and Emuhaya which experienced only 3 cases of refusal to take up deputy headship position. The purpose of this study was to establish factors influencing job satisfaction among secondary school Deputy Principals in Hamisi District. Objectives of the study were to; find out the influence of terms and conditions of service, determine influence of school discipline, establish the influence of the Principals' leadership and find out the influence of work environment on the deputy Principals job satisfaction. The study adopted a conceptual framework that was used to focus on the variables of the study. Descriptive survey design was used. The study population consisted of 36 head teachers, 36 deputy head teachers, 36 Directors of studies, 36 Board of Governors (BOG) Chair persons and 36 Parents' Teachers Association (PTA) chairpersons. Saturated sampling was used to select 33 Principals, 33 Deputy Principals, 33 Directors of Studies, 33 BOG Chairpersons and 33 PTA Chairpersons. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview schedules. Face and content validity of the instruments was established by experts in Educational Administration. Reliability of the instruments was determined by test re-test method in 3(8.33%) of the schools that were not involved in the study. Pearson r coefficient of the deputy head teachers' questionnaire was 0.84 at a set p- value of 0.05. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of frequency counts and percentages. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyze": .n emergent themes and sub themes. The study established that the following factors influenced deputy principals job satisfaction; role of deputizing principals 28(84.83%) and acting as principal in absence of principa:l 27(81.81%), role of disciplining students 23(69.69%), student adherence to school rules and regulations 22(66.66%), celebration of results 30(90.90%); delegation of duties 29(87.87%), proximity of the school from the road network 22(66.66%) and proximity of deputy principal's office to the principal's office 19(57.58%). The study concluded that the terms and conditions of service, school discipline, principal's leadership and work environment factors influence job satisfaction of deputy head teachers. The study recommended that Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should improve on salaries and medical allowances for teachers while the principal should provide for housing. The findings of this study are significant to the Ministry of Education, TSC, County Directors of Education, Deputy Principals and Principals in formulating policies that promote job satisfaction and add to the body of knowledge onjob satisfaction.