Assessing the Role of Teachers’ Motivation on Students’ Academic Performance: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Ilemela District

The study aimed at assessing the role of teachers’ motivation on students’ academic performance in Ilemela District. Primary data were collected using questionnaires distributed to 50 respondents selected randomly from five selected secondary schools in Ilemela District. The study used descriptive analysis to analyze data from the field with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences. The study revealed that many teachers were male while female were only few. It was further observed that most of the teachers have their age between 25 – 35 years, and majority of them are Graduates from different Universities/Colleges. In addition, majority of them have teaching experience which is less than 10 years. The current study found that, teacher’s professional development improves students’ academic performance. Working condition highly influenced/motivated teachers to perform well and finally improves students’ academic performance. Also, it was revealed that the monetary rewards to teachers improves academic performance because if a teacher is paid well can concentrate on teaching/learning activities. The study recommended that teachers must be given profession training and development to increase their knowledge and skills to deliver highly to students. Moreover, female are encouraged to participate well in this teaching and learning activities as the study revealed that only few female are involved. Working condition for teachers need to be improved so as to bring comfortability to teachers in secondary schools. Salary need to be increased so that teachers will not move between schools looking for higher paying schools. Finally, the study recommends that the relationship between teachers themselves and between teachers and students need to be improved so as teaching and learning process can be friendlier.