Subjective well-being and work performance of catholic primary school teachers in the Archdiocese Bamenda

Abstract

This study was designed to analyse the influence of subjective well-being on teachers’ work performance in catholic primary schools. Our purpose was to find out what motivates catholic school teachers to continue working in catholic schools despite the hard working conditions and the pocket-sized paid package they receive. The following question had guided our investigation: To what extent does subjective well-being influence teachers’ work performance in Catholic primary schools? : This led us to the general objective of the present study which is to analyse the influence subjective well-being on teachers’ work performance in catholic primary schools. The operationalization of this general objective has generated three specific objectives which are: to analyse the relationship between teachers’ working condition and work performance in catholic primary schools teachers; to analyse the influence of job satisfaction on teachers’ work performance in catholic primary schools and to analyse the effects of teachers’ moods on work performance in catholic primary schools. As a qualitativestudy, the collection of data was done through an interview guide where six (06) schools in the diocese of Bamenda were chosen and twelve (12) teachers were interviewed. The results were interpreted using Herzberg Two Factor theory of Frederick Herzberg (1959), the Organisational Justice Theory of Greenberg, (1987); The Human Relation Theory of Mayo Elton (1920s) and Theory X and Theory Y of McGregor (1960). A school manager who believes that people are inherently lazy and untrustworthy will treat employees roughly thus creating an atmosphere of insecurity and loathsomeness which can impact the efficiency or productivity of the workers negatively. The data were analysed using content analysis with the following results obtained. Given from the findings of our study, the importance of reducing teachers’ work pressures and seeking more effective support from school management should be given priority in order to promote the teachers’ well-being. Also, given the heavy work load teachers undertake, considerations should be given to the possibility of establishing a national norm in terms of relief to help them to maintain their professional development in this mission schools. This would undoubtedly help school management to take more responsibility for catholic school teachers’ professional development to insure that they continue to better learners’ results through their hard work and subjective well-being. The findings of this study led us to make recommendations that the state, education stakeholders, teachers and school managers should provide as motivating factors to encourage the hard work of their teachers.The church and the state should be more conscious of the teachers’ working condition.