A SURVEY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING TEACHER MOTIVATION TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF PASTORAL PROGRAMME INSTRUCTION IN CATHOLIC SPONSORED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA: A CASE OF MARAKWET WEST SUB-COUNTY

Abstract

Programme of Pastoral Instruction (PPI) is perceived as an easy subject that requires less attention in teaching it like other subjects in the curriculum because of the teachers’ opinions that it is an extension of church services and the Bible. This leads to teachers’ low attitude towards the program and its subject content. The attitude of teachers towards this subject affects how this programme is implemented in schools. Some teachers in primary schools have perceived that the programme of pastoral instruction is a source of disunity of learners and teachers in schools. These teachers think that, the most suitable people to teach pastoral instruction are catholic sisters and priests. While others view PPI as an extra duty given to them yet they are already too heavily burdened with the pressing demands of the 8-4-4 education curriculum. It was against such background that the study sought to establish factors influencing teacher motivation towards the implementation of programme of pastoral instruction in catholic sponsored primary schools in Kenya. The objectives of the study were; First, to determine teachers’ attitude towards the implementation of the Pastoral Programme Instruction. Secondly, to establish how teachers are motivated to implement the programme of pastoral instructions and thirdly, to establish the status of teaching and learning institution resources in implementation of programmes of pastoral instruction. The study was guided by Herzberg`s two factor theory (1959). The theory is known as Motivator-Hygiene theory. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The study targeted 965 respondents. Simple random sampling technique was used to select fourteen catholic sponsored primary schools in Marakwet West sub-county in Elgeyo Marakwet County. All head teachers of the sample schools participated in the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 42 PP1 teachers and 272 pupils in the upper primary school, class 6, 7 and 8. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and interviews schedule. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics which include use of percentages, means, frequency and tables. The findings showed that the respondents strongly disagreed that pastoral instruction overcrowded the teaching timetable. Teachers strongly agreed that it was never possible to teach all topics in PPI because of lack of resources. The working conditions of teachers needed a boost by providing them with incentives as a way of boosting their morale. There was also need to recognize and appreciate the efforts of teachers by rewarding them. Furthermore, teachers strongly disagreed that instead of buying resource materials for PPI we could buy more for examinable subjects. The study concludes that the teachers and learners required more resource materials for PPI subjects. For teachers to deliver effectively the management was required to look into teachers’ welfare by harmonize their services accordingly. The study makes the following recommendation: there is need for teachers to undergo training. This is based on the fact that teachers who have adequate training on instructional resource use influence pre-school learners’ achievement in both examinable subjects as well as non-examinable ones. The study further recommended that the Government through the education officers should provide primary schools with PPI instructional materials. This is due to the fact that availability of instructional resources influences positively the acquisition of the content. The Ministry of Education through the County education officers could provide audio and audio-visual materials to pre-schools, since they are known to positively influence the acquisition of the content among primary school learners. The government could find ways of motivating the teaching staff as they are the main pillar in the implementation of the Programme for pastoral instruction.