Abstract

A case study on the role of extrinsic factors (hygiene factors) and socio-demographic factors in determining job satisfaction among teachers in public secondary schools in Tanzania was undertaken. Biographical variables pertaining to teachers’ age, sex, marital status and work experience were investigated to determine whether they had any significant contribution on the level of job satisfaction experienced. The study employed mixed methods of data collection including the use of instruments such as an interview guide, questionnaires and documentary review checklist. The study found that job satisfaction among teachers in public secondary schools was not homogeneous; socio-economic and demographic factors had a great contribution on varying job satisfaction levels. For example, female teachers’ job satisfaction was statistically significant (t(84) =2.62, p = 0.04), so was the job satisfaction of young teachers (bellow 40 years)  (t(84) = -2.22, p = 0.01). However, age and working experience had a great contribution towards teachers’ job satisfaction and dissatisfaction .The study concludes that the socio-economic and demographic factors have potential strength in designing job satisfaction model which accounts for job satisfaction challenges among teachers in public secondary schools in Tanzania.

Key words: Job satisfaction, motivation, teachers’ retention, quality education service, Tanzania.