Secondary School Students’ Attitudes towards Teaching Profession: A Case Study of Tanzania

 

Mary A. Mosha

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published November,2016

 

Research Journal of Educational Studies and Review Vol. 2 (5), pp. 71-77.

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examined students’ attitudes towards the teaching profession. The study had a sample of 80 students and 20 teachers who were selected purposely from two government secondary schools. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that secondary school students had both positive and negative attitudes towards teaching profession. Girls had more positive attitudes toward the profession than boys. Other professions such as law, computer science, hotel management, human resource management, and nursing were ranked higher than teaching profession. Teaching was perceived by the students as a low paid job. However, teachers were not good models to the students because they were complaining and not performing their duties accordingly. This can be accounted for by shortage of resources, large classes, poor teaching and learning environments, and low salaries. Additionally, teachers had negative attitudes toward the teaching profession because it was not their choice but a means of securing jobs. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended, among other things, that the Government should improve teachers’ salaries, teaching and learning environment, and allocate adequate teaching resources at the schools. This would motivate teachers to teach effectively and inspire the students to like the profession.

Key Words: Career, Qualifications, Practice, Motivation, Personality, Experience and Confidence.

Full Text-PDF