An investigation into teachers' opposition to introduction of performance contract in Masinga division, Yatta district

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the reasons as to why the teachers in public secondary schools in Masinga Division, Yatta District were opposed to introduction of performance contract. To achieve this study adopted a descriptive census survey. The study sampled 10 secondary schools in the division from which the 10 head teachers and five teachers from each school. Data was collected using questionnaires in which 48 were completed and returned. This gave a response rate of 80 percent. The study established that all the respondents were opposed to the introduction of performance contract. The responses given for the opposition was that the environments under which the schools operated were different with some being better equipped while others were not. The respondents also indicated that the student performance was determined by various factors apart from the class. The study established that despite the fact that though many of the schools met the conditions necessary for organizations to be placed on performance contract; most of the conditions were equally not met. This makes it difficult for the teachers to sign performance contract. The study established that other factors that made it difficult for teachers to sign performance contract was the difficulty in setting of the targets and misplacement of priorities. The study concluded that all the stakeholders in the education sector should be involved in the management of the school in order to improve the general performance of the schools. The study also recommends that the government must make sure that before the signing of performance contract by teachers, the environments under which they are working are equal and that it should sensitize teachers on the terms and conditions of the performance contract. It should also seek other methods of performance evaluation for teachers.