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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 9, No. 6

Publication Date: June 25, 2022

DOI:10.14738/assrj.96.12443. Wanasinghe, W. M. S., & Priyadarshani, H. D. C. (2022). Factors Affecting the Professional Satisfaction of School Teachers in Sri

Lanka. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(6). 106-118.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Factors Affecting the Professional Satisfaction of School Teachers

in Sri Lanka

Prof. W. M. Shaminda Wanasinghe

Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education

The Open University of Sri Lanka

Mrs. H. D. C. Priyadarshani

Department of Special Needs Education

The Open University of Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT

The teacher is the principal inventor of the education system. This is because the

basic foundation for producing the human resources required for a country is laid

by the teacher. Therefore, the teacher needs to create an environment in which he

can carry out his career in a more satisfying context. When the teacher is satisfied,

the students who learn from him benefit from it. However, there are problems with

the teacher's service due to factors such as criticism of human resources in Sri

Lanka, high marks in exam failures, and over-emphasis on extra classes. Therefore,

the main objective of this research paper was to study the level of professional

satisfaction of teachers in government schools in Sri Lanka and the factors

influencing it. The literature review also revealed that there were problems with

teachers' professional satisfaction. The study was aimed at identifying the level of

professional satisfaction of teachers, identifying specific factors affecting

professional satisfaction, and making recommendations for enhancing professional

satisfaction. The survey methodology of the quantitative research approach was

used for the study. It was decided that the method would be more appropriate as it

was an opinion poll. Although the total population of government school teachers

working in Sri Lanka was limited to the public school teachers in the Kandy District

as the sample selectable population. Accordingly, out of 15 randomly selected

teachers in 15 schools in the Kandy District, 233 teachers were selected for random

sampling. A questionnaire prepared using the Likert scale was used to collect the

data online. The data obtained from it were analyzed according to the quantitative

methodology. According to the data analysis, 34.76% of the respondents said that

the overall sample was professionally satisfied and 37.76% said they were

dissatisfied. Thus, a small number of respondents said they were not satisfied. It is

also noteworthy that the response was moderate at 27.46%. Testing the level of

professional satisfaction according to the variables revealed that the satisfaction

level of female teachers was higher than that of male teachers. Professional

satisfaction levels were also found to be higher for teachers in 1AB schools, for

graduate teachers in terms of educational qualifications, and teachers less than 30

years of age. Factors influencing career satisfaction were also assessed.

Accordingly, occupational safety, career development opportunities, training, and

development were the top gainers. Also, promotions, salaries, and credit facilities

were seen as the minimum attainment factors. Thus the following conclusions could

be drawn. There was no significant change in teachers' professional satisfaction

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Wanasinghe, W. M. S., & Priyadarshani, H. D. C. (2022). Factors Affecting the Professional Satisfaction of School Teachers in Sri Lanka. Advances in

Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(6). 106-118.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.96.12443

that different variations in occupational satisfaction could be observed depending

on the background factors of teachers, and financial factors did not have such an

impact on occupational satisfaction. Recommendations were made to provide

continuous training opportunities, increase special focus on occupational safety,

and involve teachers in the decision-making and management process by adopting

a participatory management style in school. It can be pointed out that the service

that a school can do to maintain a high level of professional satisfaction for the

teacher. It is important to note that the benefits of developing a school teacher's

satisfaction will be felt by students and ultimately the entire education system.

Keywords - School Teacher, Professional, Satisfaction, Satisfaction Level, Factors

Affecting Satisfaction

INTRODUCTION

The teacher is the professional who plays the most important role in this universe. This is well

illustrated by the fact that many countries in the world offer professional status to the teacher.

Another reason why the work of the teacher is unique is that working with a group of live

people provides the basic foundation for creating future citizens. Being by the teacher.

Therefore, it is essential to create an environment where the teacher can perform his / her

duties more satisfactorily. When a person is satisfied with his job, the service he receives is

highly efficient and productive. It is important to look at the factors that influence a teacher's

career satisfaction, especially as it directly affects students' academic achievement.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Occupational satisfaction positively affects a person's personality and social development.

Human resource management also points out that there is a link between professional

satisfaction and employee performance. A professional is also a person with a positive attitude

towards their profession. The attractiveness of male teachers in the teaching profession in Sri

Lanka is minimal. It can be pointed out that the reason may be the problem related to

professional satisfaction. A satisfied employee speeds up his work and achieves the desired goal

in an independent and minimizing manner. Also engages in the profession with passion and

dedication to the service.

However, at a time when Sri Lanka's economic development is in a slump, the professional

satisfaction of teachers can be cited as one factor. The vast majority of school leavers do not

contribute to economic development.

Kuria (2011) points out that higher satisfaction can be achieved by providing employees with

the security of a new profession. Teachers in Sri Lanka, through their letter of appointment,

have created occupational security by stating that the teaching profession is permanent and has

a pension. Teacher satisfaction is very important for the progress of a school. This is because

the teacher has the greatest influence on the performance of the students. But Mitchell et al

(2001) pointed out that employee satisfaction is neglected by many organizations. In Sri Lanka,

too, there is little focus on enhancing the professional satisfaction of school teachers. Instead,

the supervisors focus more on completing the syllabus and exam results. Young (2006) points

out that a lack of employee satisfaction is seen in employees leaving their careers. Satisfaction

with this profession may have contributed to the emergence of a high-profile deputy in the

teaching profession in Sri Lanka as well. Mello (2007) pointed out that employee satisfaction