The Implications of Career Motivation and Work Commitment for Turnover Intention among Public University Lecturers and Primary School Teachers in Tanzania

Komba Ndembeka, Jaqueline Amani

Abstract

The study determines the implications of career motivation and work commitment for turnover intention among public university lecturers and primary school teachers in Tanzania. It employed a mixed methods research approach using a sample of 77 primary school teachers drawn from five public primary schools and 66 lecturers from three public universities in Tanzania. Data were collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Whereas qualitative data were thematically analysed, SPSS Version 20 was used to analyse quantitative data. The findings reveal four most influential career motivation factors in order of priority for both primary school teachers and university lecturers: (1) Opportunity for further education; (2) respect from society; (3) love of the profession; and (4) easiness in getting post-graduation employment. The findings further reveal that teachers’ initial career motivation influences their commitment to teaching and intention to remain in the profession. Moreover, the study found that commitment to the teaching profession was higher among university lecturers relative to primary school teachers. However, no significant differences were found in turnover intention between primary school teachers and university lecturers.

Keywords

career motivation, work commitment, turnover intention, primary school teachers, university lecturers, Tanzania

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