THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHER- MOTIVATION ON PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN BIOLOGY: A CASE OF BURETI SUB-COUNTY, KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

In an effort to encourage teachers to work closely with students to improve performance in their respective subjects, schools have resorted to reward good performers by use of a rewarding system commonly called motivation. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate how motivation of teachers influences the performance of students in Biology subject in secondary schools in Bureti Sub-County, Kericho County. This study was guided byHerzberg hygiene factortheory. From this theory, a conceptual framework was developed. The study employed survey research design. Both purposive and simple random sampling procedures were used to choose the sample. Schools were chosen purposively to include those that are known to motivate their teachers and those that are easily accessible to the researcher but having same characteristics and from this population simple random sampling was done. The following instruments of research were used to collect the data: questionnaire and interview schedules. Piloting was carried out in four schools from the neighbouring Konoin Sub-County which was used purposely to determine reliability and validity of the instruments. The data collected was coded, edited for accuracy, completeness and uniformity. Data analysis and interpretation was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, frequency pie charts, bar chart and percentages and for inferential statistics ANOVA was used. From this study it is evident that there are more male Biology teachers than the female Biology teachers who are qualified and experienced. The selection of categories of schools for this study was well represented. Majority of teachers who participated in this study were motivated. There exists teacher-motivation in many schools in Bureti district. However, teacher motivation varies from school to school. This accounts for the disparity in the academic performance in schools which participated in this study. The study further reveals that there is varying perception of teachers who participated in this study to the various forms of teacher -motivation. The study also indicates that there is significant difference in performance between motivated and unmotivated teachers. The findings from the study obtained were used to make recommendation to the Educators, Principals, teachers and parents on how teacher motivation influences students‟ performance. The study proposed the following recommendations. The ministry of Education need to harmonise teachers‟ salaries and allowances with those of public service. The school principals and their BOM need to revalue the purpose of organizing staff-trip in terms of timing and other possibilities.