Motivational Factors of Tenured Teachers and School Heads of the Schools Division Office of Imus City: To Conduct Academic Research

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Teachers are the most important resource in every school. Through their individualized professional competence, they provide valued learning to students and work-related services. The conduct of quality research although a function that will not only help teachers to make a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge but will also serve as one of the criteria for tenure and promotion has been neglected by teachers. DepEd has been zealously pushing for a stronger orientation among DepEd schools. To further promote and encourage research in the Schools Division of Imus, DepEd Order 43 series of 2015, the "guidelines for the Basic Education Research Fund"(BERF) was revised and implemented to promote the culture of research and encourage eligible teachers and school heads to conduct BER and utilize the BERF. The study determined the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and their motivational factors in conducting academic research. The study served as baseline data for DepEd to plan the support that can be extended to them and design a rewards system that will encourage tenured teachers and school heads to produce more researches.

METHODS

The study utilized the descriptive design where 641 respondents from SDO Imus City took part in the online survey. It is limited only to tenured teachers and school heads of Schools Division Office of Imus City.

RESULTS

Results showed that there were only 38 research studies conducted and 10 are still on-going. Of the two hours allotted for ancillary works, the majority do not allot work hours for research. The top three motivational factors are respect from students (intrinsic), salary increase (extrinsic) and satisfaction of personal needs (intrinsic). Age, sex and academic rank are not significant while approximate monthly has a significant difference among respondents with their motivation to conduct academic research.

DISCUSSIONS

Not only personal motivators whether extrinsic or intrinsic motivate the respondents to conduct academic research. Tenure, work time allotted to conduct research and funding are also factors that increase or decrease their motivation. Actions to satisfy employees' needs and increase the quality of work life must be tied to every Human Resource practice at Schools Division Office of Imus City. As Bryan (2003) summarily contends, "motivation is crucial to every organization that seeks to effectively succeed”.