An Assessment of Job Satisfaction and Teacher Engagement at a Public Secondary Educational Institution in Central Jamaica

Abstract

This study delves into the critical relationship between job satisfaction and teacher engagement at a public secondary school in Central Jamaica. The study addresses the growing concern of teacher attrition, driven by factors such as inadequate remuneration, limited resources, and lack of professional growth opportunities, which prompt many educators to seek employment abroad. Utilising a quantitative research approach, the study sampled 100 teachers from the institution, examining variables such as teacher contentment with remuneration, the impact of non-monetary incentives, and differences in job satisfaction based on gender and seniority.Findings indicate that, unlike the information from the existing literature, there were no significant statistical differences in job satisfaction based on gender or seniority. Additionally, non-monetary incentives did not significantly influence social engagement or psychological engagement. Despite these disparities, 81.0% of teachers reported high levels of work engagement, independent of salary and fringe benefits. This suggests that factors other than financial incentives contribute to high engagement levels. The study concludes with a strong call for further research with a larger sample size to validate these findings and investigate other factors influencing teacher engagement and job satisfaction in Jamaica. It emphasises theneed for continuous learning and improvement in the field of education, as this is crucial for addressing the issue of teacher attrition and has significant implications for policy and practice in Jamaica.