A study to discover the factors leading to student's truancy in a Maldivian school and finding the strategies to minimize the issue / Fathimath Nizuma

ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to identify the factors affecting teacher motivation in a public secondary school of Maldives. The study was guided by the following objectives: to analyse the current situation of teachers' motivation, to identify the factors affecting teachers' motivation and to find out ways of enhancing teacher motivation in the school. Since, this is a case study research, qualitative data was collected through interview schedules from a total number of six respondents based on purposeful sampling technique. The results of the study were then presented after the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The results of the Findings revealed that strongest motivating factors were availability of advanced resources, in relation to working conditions, flexible routines, in relation to organizational practices and interpersonal relationships with all the stakeholders, especially with colleagues and students. On the other hand, government policy in overtime limitation, comfortable staffroom, and inequality in task distribution and professional development opportunities, lack of supervision and monitoring system and feedback were found to be demotivating factors for teachers. It is therefore concluded that the school management should ensure the improvement of comfortable staff room facilities and effective management and monitoring system for effective teaching and learning. From the findings of the study, it was concluded that factors related to working conditions, interpersonal relationships, organizational practices, job characteristics and positive job attitudes affect teacher motivation. The study recommends that schools should ensure that the school environment is conducive and comfortable for teachers to ensure their motivation and satisfaction with their jobs. It is also advisable to the management to formulate effective supervision and monitoring system so that it will reduce the demotivating factors related to management such as recognition, appreciation and providing feedback.