Factors affecting recruitment and retention of basic school teachers in Obuasi Municipality

Abstract

Education delivery at the basic school level cannot be carried out effectively without the required quality and quantity of teachers. This implies that educational administrators must ensure that at any point in time measures have been instituted to recruit and retain the required number of teachers. In view of this realization, an investigation was conducted into how basic school teachers are recruited and retained in the Obuasi Municipal Education Directorate. A sample of 120 respondents made up of teachers and education officials were selected for data collection but in the end 96 took part in the study. A self-administered questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used for data collection. Data collected were edited and analysed using the SPSS and descriptive statistical tools such as simple frequency and relative frequency tables and percentages. Results of the study indicated that teachers were recruited from among the graduates of Universities, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and SHS. It was revealed that teachers were retained through continuous professional training, sponsorship for further studies and teacher incentive packages. Some challenges identified included lack of links between school needs and teacher training institutions, lack of defined standards for teacher development and inadequate teacher remuneration among others. From the foregoing, appropriate recommendations were accordingly made for remediation by educational authorities.