Relationship between performance appraisal and teacher commitment in Kenya (case study of public schools in Nakuru)

Abstract

Despite the recent research efforts into the antecedents of organizational commitment most especially in the developing economies, little empirical work has been conducted examining the relationship between performance appraisal and teacher commitment in schools. Most teachers develop a negative attitude towards performance appraisals that are biased- in terms of not involving them in decision making and in structuring them (appraisals). However, research shows that perceived fairness of performance appraisal has influenced teacher commitment towards schools through the mediating factor of satisfaction. This finding is consistent with the efforts by the government to establish a more transparent and more accountable decision-making process in an organization. To improve performance evaluation to be more effective in influencing organizational commitment, satisfaction of the teachers as well as fair performance management within the school should be given priority. In this project report, the researcher examined the relationship between commitment and appraisal of teachers in selected schools in Nakuru County. The research also reviewed the process and purpose of performance appraisal, appraisal tools, challenges curbing Performance Appraisal tools, employee preparedness, commitment of teachers, importance of continuous performance appraisal and appraisal feedback. The target group for this study was secondary school teachers in public boarding schools. The main focus was on Nakuru county schools. There are about 2000 public boarding secondary schools in the eleven constituencies of Nakuru county .A representative sample of the chosen schools was selected. Data was collected by administration of two sets of questionnaires, for the appraisers and appraisees. Analysis thereafter followed through use of a computer software package (SPSS).Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, data was then presented in charts, tables and graphs. The findings of the study indicated that there is a relationship between performance appraisal and commitment of teachers, this is a significant correlation. The findings of this study would be useful in future evaluations of employees in different organizations for better performance