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

Abstract

Teachers play a central role in effective syllabus coverage and enhancing high academic achievements among students. Studies done on influence of career development on teacher turnover intentions mostly feature in developed countries and a few in African contexts with inconsistent findings and no similar study identified in the study locale. The study investigated the influence of career development on teacher turnover intentions in public secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya to extend knowledge and literature in the Kenyan context. The research objective was: to examine how career development influences teacher turnover intentions in public secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. The study was guided by Social Exchange Theory. The researcher adopted explanatory research design combined with in-depth interview. The researcher targeted 89 principals and 1,291 teachers a total of 1,380 participants. The researcher employed stratified and simple random techniques to select cases for the study. The researcher used proportional allocation technique to determine sample size. The sample study comprised 40 principals and 247 teachers. The researcher administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews to teachers and principals respectively. Validity of research instruments was based on content validity through expert judgement. Reliability of research instruments was ensured by deriving and adapting items developed by other researchers. Furthermore, Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha formula was adopted to determine reliability of questionnaire items on the basis of Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient formula and an Alpha Coefficient Value of 0.72 was obtained. The researcher used descriptive statistics to analyse questionnaire items on Likert scale. The researcher employed Chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation, Multiple linear regression and Analysis of Variance to test the research hypothesis at 95% confidence interval. Thematic analysis technique was used to analyse qualitative data and presentation of finding in thematic narratives. The study revealed career development has statistically significant influence on teacher turnover intentions; avenues to advance career (β = 0.009, p = 0.921 > 0.05), career growth programmes (β = - 0.020, p = 0.832 > 0.05), scheme of service (β = - 0.032, p = 0.770 > 0.05), career growth policies (β = 0.030, p = 0.693 > 0.05) commitment to TSC (β = - 0.145, p = 0.594 > 0.05) and funds for career advancement (β = 0.151, p = 0.158 > 0.05). The study concluded that career development and in particular avenues to advance career has the most significant influence on teacher turnover intentions in public secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya.