Strategies for Retaining Secondary School Science Teachers: A Case of Dodoma City, Tanzania

Abstract

The study aimed at determining strategies by private secondary school management in retaining science teachers in Dodoma City. The study was guided by Motivation- Hygiene Theory by Frederick Herzberg. The study employed the mixed research approach and the convergent parallel research design. The targeted population had a total of 123 science teachers distributed in 18 different secondary schools, 18 Heads of school and 1 Secondary Education officer. Therefore, the total population of the study was 142 people from which, thirty (30) respondents were selected (25 science teachers, four (4) heads of schools and one (1) City Secondary Education Officer) selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics while qualitative data was thematically analyzed.  The study established that employment of appropriate strategies retains science teachers in schools. Such strategies include involvement of teachers in decision making, provision of attractive remuneration and working conditions, recognition and appreciation. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that schools under investigation should strive to provide the identified motivating aspects for sustainable retention of science teachers in schools under investigation.