To improve students’ academic performance in under-resourced schools? Motivate teachers in five aspe

I chose the program of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies because I dream to improve the education quality in my hometown by setting up a school (non-key). In China, “non-key schools” (as opposed to “key schools” which are titled and supported by the government with more resources in every aspect) typically means that students are lower in performance and less likely to succeed in college and career. Actually it is an urgent issue of inequity which should be paid attention to and fixed. But how can non-key school leaders fix it with limited resources?

Improving teachers’ motivation might be a good start since researches have shown that teachers’ motivation will have a significant effect on students’ motivation as well as their academic performance. But how? Consider these five items:

1. Attitude:

Teachers will have a good attitude towards job when adequate instructional facilities are made available and conditions of services are stream-lined to enhance their performance. Also, the government and school authority should encourage them to greater work efficiency and assign them responsibilities fairly.

2. Commitment

Teachers will devote themselves to work when they are freer to express their feelings about jobs and more autonomous in determining school issues or curriculum. Teachers sometimes want school assistance in solving personal problems. They also would want to be approved to apply for in-service training.

3. Reward

A proper reward should be given to motivate teachers. Commendation for jobs well done is necessary. If a teacher goes further study and successfully completes it, he/she would want to be recognized by school authority through instant promotion or higher rank. Also, a reasonable and regular promotion without prejudice is a must in school.

4. Punishment

School leaders should avoid certain punishments since they hinder rather than promote teachers’ motivation. For example, denying up-to-date information about their jobs for teachers, deriving compensations that they deserve or forbidding them to participate in school activities that yield money to participants. Actually teachers appreciate constructive criticism rather than severe punishments.

5. Interest

Teachers will be highly motivated when they attain satisfactory interest from their jobs. A competent salary should be assured in the first place. An adequate welfare scheme is a plus. And merit pay for teachers whose students excel in examinations will be a boost. Besides the money issue, being in a good social status and respected by others will certainly further motivate them.

These items can function as a checklist for us, the prospective educators to find out the reasons for our low motivation in future career and to suggest the school leaders what can be done to make a difference. Also after our group figure out the most important factor among these items, even with limited resources leaders in “non-key” schools can efficiently improve the students’ performance and therefore make education more equitable.

References

Vaughan, M. & McLaughlin, J. (2011). What can motivate teachers to learn? Ask them. Journal of Staff Development, 32(5), 50-54.

Obunadike, J.C. (2013). Development and validation of teacher motivation assessment scale for quality assurance in universities in Anambra State. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 3(6), 95-104.

Adeyinka, A., Asabi, O. & Adedotun, O. (2013). Teachers’ motivation on students’ performance in Mathematics in government secondary schools, Makurdi Lg Area. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2(5), 35-41.