The Impact of Motivation on Teacher Job Performance in Secondary Schools: An Empirical Analysis of Output Planning, Monitoring, and Review in Kasese District, Uganda

Summary of the key findings

Introduction

Education is widely recognized as a fundamental driver of socioeconomic development, and the effectiveness of teachers is central to achieving quality education outcomes.¹ In secondary schools, teacher job performance is an important determinant of student success, influencing learning outcomes, academic achievement, and overall institutional effectiveness. However, teacher performance is shaped by multiple factors, including motivation, professional development, working conditions, and performance management systems. Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is particularly significant in determining teacher engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity.² In many educational systems, motivated teachers exhibit higher levels of commitment, creativity, and instructional effectiveness, ultimately leading to improved student performance. Conversely, demotivated teachers often demonstrate reduced classroom engagement, lower job satisfaction, and high absenteeism, negatively affecting education quality.³

In the global education landscape, motivation has been extensively studied as a key determinant of teacher job performance.⁴ Research in developed countries has shown that well-structured motivation strategies significantly enhance teacher effectiveness, including competitive salaries, career advancement opportunities, and professional development. In countries such as Finland and Singapore, where education systems consistently rank among the best, policies emphasizing teacher motivation through professional growth opportunities and performance-based rewards have led to improved teaching quality and student outcomes.⁵

In sub-Saharan Africa, however, teacher motivation remains a persistent challenge, often hindered by inadequate salaries, lack of professional growth opportunities, and poor working conditions.⁶ Many governments and education stakeholders in the region struggle to implement effective motivation strategies due to financial constraints and systemic inefficiencies.⁷ As a result, teachers frequently experience job dissatisfaction, leading to high attrition rates, absenteeism, and reduced instructional quality. Uganda’s education system is no exception, as teachers in both government-aided and private secondary schools face significant motivational challenges, affecting their job performance and, ultimately, student learning outcomes.⁸

In Kasese District, these challenges are particularly pronounced, with teachers in both rural and urban schools expressing concerns about financial security, workload management, and lack of structured motivation frameworks.⁹ The absence of well-defined motivation strategies has led to decreased teacher engagement, reduced instructional effectiveness, and lower student achievement. Although previous studies have examined teacher motivation in Uganda, there is limited empirical research focusing on the direct relationship between motivation and teacher job output, particularly in secondary schools within Kasese District.¹⁰ Therefore, this study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the impact of motivation on teacher job performance. Assessing the effectiveness of existing motivation strategies and proposing evidence-based recommendations to enhance teacher motivation and performance outcomes.

Methodology

Results

This section presents the study findings based on descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, structured according to the research objectives. Descriptive statistics summarize participant responses on motivation, output planning, monitoring, and review, with an overall mean motivation score of 4.225. Pearson correlation analysis assesses relationships between variables, showing a weak correlation between motivation and teacher job performance (r = 0.227, p < 0.05), while output monitoring (r = 0.521, p < 0.01) and review (r = 0.321, p < 0.05) had stronger impacts. Multiple regression and Bayesian inference further validate these relationships, highlighting the significance of structured performance management in influencing teacher effectiveness. The findings indicate that teacher motivation in Kasese District is generally positive, with an overall mean score of 4.225. Most teachers agree or strongly agree that they receive timely salaries (41.9%), financial incentives (37.8%), and professional development opportunities (49.9%). However, concerns remain regarding the adequacy of salaries (26.6% disagreed), financial assistance (19.5% disagreed), and additional allowances. The standard deviation (0.561-0.844) shows moderate variation in responses. (See Table 1).

The relationship between motivation and teachers’ job output is crucial in determining the quality of education and students’ success. In the context of performance appraisal, motivation acts as a driving force that enhances teachers’ productivity, engagement, and commitment to their roles. The table presents the pairwise correlation between Teachers’ Job Output and Output Planning, showing a weak positive Pearson correlation (0.227). The Bayes factor (0.037) strongly supports the null hypothesis, indicating that the observed correlation is likely not statistically significant. (See Table 2).

The Bayesian factor inference indicates the strength of the evidence in favour of the alternative hypothesis compared to the null hypothesis for each pairwise correlation between variables, such as “Output planning,” “Output monitoring,” “Output review,” “General motivation,” and “Teacher’s job output.” The results assess the relationships between teachers’ job output, output planning, output monitoring, output review, and general motivation using Pearson correlation and Bayes’ factor inference. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.744) exists between output planning and output monitoring. Moderate correlations were observed between output monitoring and teacher job output (r = 0.521) and output planning and teacher job output (r = 0.422). General motivation showed a weak correlation with teacher job output (r = 0.227, Bayes Factor = 0.037), indicating that motivation alone does not significantly impact performance compared to structured planning and monitoring. The Bayes Factor values (mostly 0.000) provide strong evidence supporting the significant relationships observed, except for the weak link between general motivation and teacher job output. (See Table 3).

Discussion

The study assessed the role of motivation on teachers’ job output in secondary schools in Kasese District, Uganda. The findings highlight the significance of motivation in influencing teacher performance while also demonstrating that structured planning, monitoring, and evaluation play a crucial role in improving teacher productivity. The findings indicate that teacher motivation in Kasese District is generally positive, with an overall mean score of 4.225. A majority of teachers strongly agreed or agreed that they receive timely salary payments (41.9%), financial incentives (37.8%), and professional development opportunities (49.9%). However, concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of salaries, with 26.6% of respondents disagreeing that their salary is sufficient for daily living. Additionally, 19.5% disagreed that financial assistance is available when needed, while 13.3% disagreed that incentives are provided for extra duties, as depicted in Table 1. These findings are consistent with those,^13,14 and¹⁵ who argued that poor salary structures and financial insecurity are among the main demotivators for teachers in sub-Saharan Africa. This indicates that while teachers generally perceive their salaries as being paid on time, the amount received may not be adequate to meet their financial needs. Schools should consider salary restructuring to reflect inflation and living costs. Additionally, financial assistance programs, such as emergency funds or low-interest loans, could be introduced to support teachers facing economic difficulties. Providing clear policies on incentives for extra work would also enhance motivation and fairness in workload distribution.¹⁶

Apart from direct monetary benefits, non-financial incentives such as accommodation, healthcare services, and professional development opportunities significantly contribute to teacher motivation. The study found that 34.4% of teachers strongly agreed that they are provided with comfortable accommodation, while 26.6% strongly disagreed, indicating that housing remains a challenge for a considerable number of teachers. Access to subsidized healthcare services was acknowledged by 38.6% of respondents, whereas 48.8% strongly disagreed, suggesting gaps in healthcare provisions. On the other hand, professional development opportunities were highly rated, with 49.9% of respondents strongly agreeing that they are given opportunities for staff development. These findings align with the work of^17,18 who found that teachers who receive continuous professional development and non-monetary benefits are more likely to remain in the profession and exhibit higher job performance. These findings imply that school administrations should focus on improving non-monetary benefits to enhance teacher satisfaction.¹³ Addressing housing challenges through staff quarters or housing allowances would improve living conditions.¹⁹ Expanding healthcare support through subsidized medical insurance or partnerships with healthcare providers would ensure teachers receive adequate medical care. Strengthening professional development programs by offering more training, workshops, and career advancement opportunities would further improve teacher engagement and job satisfaction. These recommendations are consistent with the study by,²⁰ which found that professional growth opportunities and a supportive work environment significantly contribute to teacher well-being and performance.²¹ Furthermore, the study tested the null hypothesis (H₀₁), which stated that there is no significant effect of motivation on teachers’ job output in secondary schools in Kasese District. The results indicate a weak positive correlation (r = 0.227) between general motivation and teachers’ job output, with a Bayes Factor of 0.037, which strongly supports the null hypothesis as presented in Table 2. This suggests that while motivation plays a role, it is not a strong determinant of teacher job output compared to other factors such as structured performance planning, monitoring, and review. This finding is similar to the results of a study by,^4,22 which introduced the two-factor theory, suggesting that while motivation factors (such as salary and recognition) can improve job satisfaction, they alone may not significantly impact performance without strong organizational structures.²³

Moreover, a stronger influence of structured performance management was observed. The study found a strong positive correlation (r = 0.744) between output planning and output monitoring, suggesting that schools with well-organized planning systems tend to have effective monitoring mechanisms. A moderate correlation (r = 0.521) was observed between output monitoring and teacher job output, while output planning also showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.422) with teacher job output, as depicted in Table 3. These findings indicate that structured performance management, including clear planning, continuous monitoring, and periodic evaluations, has a greater influence on teacher productivity than motivation alone. These results support the findings of,²⁴ and,²⁵ who highlighted the importance of structured teacher evaluation and feedback in improving instructional effectiveness. These findings suggest that schools should focus on strengthening performance management frameworks rather than relying solely on motivation strategies.²⁶ Schools should implement structured lesson planning processes, ensuring that teachers have clear guidelines on instructional delivery. Additionally, regular performance evaluations through peer reviews and supervisor assessments should be introduced to track progress and provide timely feedback. Schools should also develop performance-based appraisal systems where teachers are rewarded for meeting specific targets, ensuring accountability and improved productivity.²⁷ This aligns with the study by,²⁸ which demonstrated that structured teacher evaluations improve teaching practices and student learning outcomes. Although the null hypothesis is supported, motivation still plays a complementary role, particularly in salary adequacy, financial assistance, and career development. The findings indicate that schools should not solely focus on improving motivation but should integrate it with structured performance management approaches. This can be achieved through well-defined lesson plans, regular monitoring of teacher output, and comprehensive appraisal systems. These insights echo the findings of,²² who argued that motivation must be complemented by structured organizational support systems to sustain high performance.

Conclusion

This study examined the impact of motivation on teacher job performance in secondary schools in Kasese District, emphasizing the role of output planning, monitoring, and review. The findings indicate that while motivation plays a role in enhancing teacher engagement and performance, it is not the sole determinant of job effectiveness. Structured performance management strategies, particularly output monitoring and review, have a more significant impact on improving teacher productivity and instructional quality. The study highlights the need for a balanced approach that integrates financial and non-financial incentives with well-defined performance appraisal systems. Schools should prioritize professional development opportunities, timely remuneration, and conducive working conditions to sustain teacher motivation. Additionally, systematic monitoring and review processes should be strengthened to provide continuous feedback and enhance accountability. In conclusion, motivation alone is insufficient to drive optimal teacher performance. A comprehensive strategy combining motivation with structured performance management frameworks will ensure better educational outcomes and long-term improvements in secondary school teaching effectiveness.

Declaration