Hardship allowance and teacher retention in public secondary schools in Buvuma district Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between payment of hardship allowance and teacher retention in a public secondary school in Buvuma district, Uganda. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between the benefits of hardship allowances and teacher retention. An explanatory sequential study design employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in this study. The study sample consisted of 49 respondents obtained through census, simple random and targeted sampling techniques. Data collection methods were selfadministered questionnaires and interviews. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire and interview guide were established using the content validity index (0.89) and the Cronbach Alpha coefficient (0.81) respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 with a focus on descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient to determine the relationship between hardship allowance and teacher retention in public secondary schools in Buvuma District. Findings revealed a positive, statistically significant but moderate relationship between hardship allowance and teacher attraction to public secondary schools in Buvuma District (r=.439**p<0.05); a statistically significant but moderate relationship between hardship allowance and teachers' duty engagement in public secondary schools in Buvuma District (r=.437**p<0.05); and statistically significant but moderate relationship between hardship allowance and teachers' longevity in public secondary schools in Buvuma District (r=.495**p0.05). The study concluded that ensuring timely and regular payment of the hardship allowance in addition to monthly salary and ensuring that the hardship allowance is adequate are critical steps to improving teachers' retention in public secondary schools in Buvuma District. The study recommends that the Buvuma District local government should ensure that the hardship allowance is enhanced such that it is adequate to motivate the teachers to remain in public secondary schools in Buvuma District. The Buvuma District Government should ensure that hardship allowances are granted to all public secondary school teachers in the Buvuma District in a timely manner.