Influence of Compensation on Teacher Turnover Intentions in Public Secondary Schools in Taita- Taveta County, Kenya

Abstract

Studies done on influence of compensation on teacher turnover intentions mostly feature in developed countries and a few in African contexts with inconsistent findings with no similar study identified in the study locale. The study unveiled influence of compensation on teacher turnover intentions in public secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya to extend knowledge and literature in Kenyan context. The research objective was: to examine how compensation influences teacher turnover intentions in public secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. The study was conceptualized in view of lens of Social Exchange Theory. The researcher adopted explanatory research design in combination with in-depth interview. The target population was 1,380 participants; 89 principals and 1,291teachers. Stratified and simple random methods were employed to select cases for the study. Determination of sample size was on basis of proportional allocation technique. Sample size was; 40 principals and 247 teachers. The research instruments were semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interview for teachers and principals respectively. Validity of research instruments was on basis of content validity through expert judgement. Reliability of research instruments was on basis of deriving, adapting items developed by other researchers as well as through internal consistency technique and an Alpha Coefficient Value of 0.93 was obtained. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyse questionnaire items based on Likert scale. The researcher employed Chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation, Multiple linear regression and Analysis of Variance for hypothesis testing at 95% confidence interval. Content analysis technique was employed to analyse open-ended question and thematic analysis technique in-depth interview. The study found compensation has statistically significant influence on teacher turnover intentions; pay structure review (β = 0.026, p = 0.758 > 0.05), information on remuneration (β = - 0.058, p = 0.427 > 0.05), policies on remuneration (β = 0.079, p = 0.394 > 0.05), salary and allowances (β = 0.096, p = 0.255 > 0.05) self-worth and self-esteem (β = - 0.146, p = 0.094 > 0.05) and proportional remuneration (β = 0.154, p = 0.062 > 0.05). The study concluded that, compensation more so, pay structure of teachers is revised continuously in tandem with remuneration practices in private sector has the most significant influence on teacher turnover intentions in public secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya.