RETENTION FACTORS AS CORRELATES OF TEACHERS’ ATTRITION AMONG PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ IN AWKA EDUCATION ZONE, ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

The study investigated  retention  factors as correlates of teachers’ attrition among private secondary school teachers in Awka Education Zone of Anambra State. In an attempt to focus on the study, three research questions were formulated and  three null hypotheses tested at

0.05  level  of  significance  guided  the  study.  The  study  adopted  a  correlational  research

design.  The population  of 403 teachers  in the registered  private secondary  schools  were sampled using proportionate  stratified  sampling techniques.  Two  sets of instruments  were used for the study; 60 items retention factor scale (RTF) developed by Dockel (2003) was adapted; 12 items teachers Attrition Scale (TAS) developed by the researcher was used for the study. Face and construct validation of the instruments were determined by three experts. One expert in Measurement and Evaluation and two experts in Educational Foundations all in  the  Department   of  Educational   Foundations,   Faculty  of  Education   Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. The reliability of the instrument was determined  using Cronbach  Alpha which yielded  coefficient   of 0.82 and was considered reliable for the study. The instruments for data analysis were administered with the help of five  briefed  research  assistants.  Data  collected  were  analyzed  using  Pearson’s  Product Moment Correlation Coefficient for research questions while t-test for significance was used to test hypotheses  1-3 at 0.05  level of significance.  The findings  revealed  that there is a significant relationship between retention factors and teachers’ attrition among private secondary school teachers in Awka Education Zone of Anambra State. The findings of the study showed that compensation,  staff development,  staff participation  in decision making, remuneration, work environment and principal support are retention factors that can reduce the rate of attrition   among private secondary school teachers in Awka Education Zone of Anambra  State.  Based  on  the  findings  the  study  recommended  among  others,  that  the proprietors  of private  secondary  school  should  include  retention  strategies  policy  as an integral part of the schools’ policy statement as well as improving  on the salary scale of teachers in private secondary schools.