Teachers’ Job Satisfaction and Effective Implementation of the National Policy on Education in Public Junior Secondary Schools in Rivers State
Downloads
The study investigated the extent to which the extent to which teachers’ job satisfaction predict effective implementation of the National Policy on Education in public junior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study was based on two objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory served as the foundation for the study. The design used was a correlational design. The population comprised 1,122 administrative heads in the 374 Public Junior Secondary Schools in Rivers State. A sample of 561 administrative heads representing 50% of the population. Two instruments developed by the researcher titled “Teachers’ Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and Effective Implementation of the National Policy on Education Questionnaire” were used to collect data. The instruments consisted of 50 items designed based upon modified four-point Likert-type rating scale. Research questions were answered using simple regression analyses, and t-tests associated with simple regression were applied to test hypotheses 1-6 at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that, to a moderate extent, teachers' adequate remuneration predict effective implementation of the National Policy on Education. To a low extent, teachers' recognition, predict effective implementation of the National Policy on Education. In conclusion, teachers' adequate remuneration is the most significant predictors, showing to a moderate extent of prediction. Conversely, teachers' recognition, was found to have a low extent of prediction. Among others, the researcher recommended that Rivers State Government and Universal Basic Education Board should ensure that their teachers are paid promptly to reduce distraction and financial stress to be able to focus on implementation policy directives.
T. O. Adeyinka and L. O. Chukwuma, “Administrative control, teacher self-efficacy, and the implementation of national teaching strategies,” Journal of School Leadership, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 350–370, 2024.
C. J. Adiele and V. O. Nwachukwu, “Professional development and job security as predictors of teacher job performance in junior secondary schools in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State,” Journal of Teacher Education and Development, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 55–70, 2022.
A. O. Agba, F. Nkpoyen, and E. M. Ushie, “Assessment of teachers’ remuneration and their job performance in Calabar educational zone of Cross River State, Nigeria,” Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 18–25, 2020.
M. A. Akiri, “Teachers' rewards, recognition, appreciation and task performance in public senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State,” International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1–16, 2023.
I. P. Amadi and F. D. Fiberesima, “Formal and informal recognition in the workplace,” Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 99–112, 2020.
A. G. Balogun and N. N. Eze, “Lack of recognition, teacher burnout, and commitment to curriculum reform in Nigerian junior secondary schools,” International Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 150–170, 2023.
J. O. Chukwu and N. L. George, “Teacher autonomy and job satisfaction,” Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 201–215, 2022.
J. O. Chukwu and N. L. George, “Teacher compensation and student achievement: A correlational study,” Journal of Educational Research, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 156–168, 2023.
O. G. Chukwudi and F. N. Odigwe, “Compensation management and teachers’ job performance in public senior secondary schools in Anambra State,” International Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 100–107, 2023.
E. J. Chukwuemeka and U. N. Eze, “Teacher autonomy in urban and rural junior secondary schools: Implications for national policy implementation in Nigeria,” Journal of Educational and Social Research, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 120–135, 2021.
E. O. Chukwuemeka and A. N. Okoro, “Teacher job security and student achievement,” Journal of Educational Research, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 189–202, 2023.
L. O. Chukwuma and C. I. Okafor, “Balancing national policy guidelines and teacher autonomy: Perspectives from junior secondary schools,” Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 35–48, 2021.
C. N. Dike and I. N. George, “Teacher burnout and its impact on student achievement,” Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 88–101, 2023.
C. N. Dike and I. N. George, “The impact of professional development on teacher retention,” Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 88–101, 2023.
C. N. Dike and I. N. George, “Job insecurity and teacher attrition,” Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 156–168, 2024.
C. N. Dike and E. O. Nsirim, “Teacher autonomy and professional identity,” Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 156–168, 2019.
F. O. Edeh and B. I. Chukwu, “Recognition as a tool for employee engagement,” Journal of Management Studies, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 156–168, 2019.
P. N. Egboka and C. U. Eze, “Teacher job satisfaction in Nigeria: Policy implications and practical realities,” Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 145–158, 2022.
P. M. Elenwo, “Non-financial incentives and teachers' job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Rivers State,” Port Harcourt Journal of Educational Studies, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 112–120, 2022.
B. A. Eze and C. O. Nwafor, “Job satisfaction and organizational commitment among university lecturers,” Journal of Management and Strategy, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 78–92, 2019.
B. A. Eze and C. O. Nwafor, “Professional development: A definition and framework,” Journal of Management Studies, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 156–168, 2019.
C. P. Eze and I. O. Chima, “The role of school leadership in promoting teacher job security,” Journal of Educational Leadership, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 101–114, 2022.
L. N. Eze and U. P. Johnson, “Teacher recognition strategies and their effect on motivation in public junior secondary schools in Port Harcourt,” Journal of Education and Practice, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 112–125, 2022.
N. C. Eze and P. C. Onyeagba, “Influence of promotion opportunities on teachers' morale in public secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria,” Journal of Research in Education and Society, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 101–110, 2021.
N. L. Eze, C. C. Okoro, and A. K. Maduagwuna, “Influence of Principals’ Leadership Styles on Secondary School Teachers’ Job Performance in Anambra State, Nigeria,” Unizik Journal of Educational Foundations, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 13–25, 2023.
Federal Republic of Nigeria, National Policy on Education, 6th ed. Lagos, Nigeria: Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), 2014.
B. R. George and U. F. Akpan, “The mediating role of promotion on the relationship between job autonomy and teacher efficacy in junior secondary schools in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State,” West African Journal of Education, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 120–135, 2021.
I. N. George and E. E. Eyo, “Dimensions of job autonomy and their impact on employee outcomes,” Journal of Management Studies, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 45–58, 2019.
I. S. Green and D. Fiberesima, “Effects of remuneration on teacher productivity,” International Journal of Education and Evaluation, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 19–23, 2022.
A. C. Ibe and C. O. Okoro, “Teachers' recognition: A definition and framework,” Journal of Curriculum Studies, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 78–92, 2022.
H. A. Ibrahim and E. O. Peters, “Perception of junior secondary school teachers on the impact of regular promotion on their morale in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State,” International Journal of Educational Leadership, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 65–78, 2019.
S. Ibrahim and Y. D. Usman, “Employment status and teacher participation in professional development: A study in Kano State junior secondary schools,” Journal of Teacher Education and Educators, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 30–45, 2020.
Y. Ibrahim and B. Usman, “Teacher Recognition in Successful Implementation of National Policy: A Qualitative Study,” Journal of Qualitative Educational Research, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 44–59, 2022.
C. J. Ifedili and C. O. Ifedili, “Perceived impact of teachers' welfare on job performance in public secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria,” Unizik Journal of Educational Management and Policy, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 80–91, 2020.
C. J. Iheanyi and D. C. Okoro, “Job security and teacher commitment,” Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 89–102, 2019.
C. J. Iheanyi and D. C. Okoro, “Professional development and teacher morale,” Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 89–102, 2019.
C. J. Iheanyi and D. C. Okoro, “Teacher motivation and job satisfaction: A comparative study,” Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 65–79, 2019.
L. C. Iwuoha and E. O. Nsirim, “Implementing the National Policy on Education: The case of teacher welfare,” Journal of Curriculum Studies, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 201–215, 2022.
L. C. Iwuoha and E. O. Nsirim, “Teachers' remuneration: A critical analysis,” Journal of Curriculum Studies, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 201–215, 2022.
R. Mestry and P. Singh, “The impact of teacher promotion on school effectiveness: A case study of selected South African schools,” Educational Management Administration & Leadership, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 287–304, 2023.
A. E. Ngozi and L. M. Borle, “Teachers’ regular promotion and prompt payment of salary as correlates of job effectiveness in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State,” International Journal of Advancement in Education, Management, Science and Technology, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 75–86, 2023.
F. C. Nwachukwu, “Teacher recognition as a catalyst for effective national policy implementation in Nigerian junior secondary schools,” Nigerian Educational Forum, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 100–115, 2023.
F. C. Nwachukwu and P. I. Eke, “Years of experience and teacher effectiveness,” Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 201–215, 2021.
F. C. Nwachukwu and C. I. Okeke, “Formal teacher appreciation programmes and engagement in national policy initiatives: A comparative study in junior secondary schools,” Educational Management Administration & Leadership, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 500–515, 2020.
F. C. Nwachukwu and I. E. Okoli, “Job autonomy: Meaning and measurement,” Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 132–145, 2018.
B. C. Nwosu and C. A. Emejuru, “The ethics of remuneration in the workplace,” Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 112–125, 2019.
L. N. Ogbonda and L. D. Kalagbor, “Teacher recognition and school improvement,” Educational Leadership Review, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 201–215, 2018.
G. U. Okafor, “Job security concerns and teacher participation in curriculum reform initiatives in Rivers State,” Journal of the Nigerian Academy of Education, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 112–125, 2019.
E. D. Okon and C. P. Akpan, “Teachers’ welfare and the implementation of National Policy on Education,” Journal of Education, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 45–56, 2019.
C. P. Okoro, “Effective resources and teachers professional development,” Journal of Education, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 34–41, 2024.
P. U. Okoro and C. J. Iheanyi, “The impact of teacher recognition on student outcomes,” Journal of Educational Evaluation, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 178–192, 2021.
N. P. Ololube, P. J. Kpolovie, and S. Amaele, “Relationship between administrative support, recognition, work autonomy and teachers’ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria,” International Journal of Scientific Research in Education, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 320–335, 2020.
Y. D. Usman, “An overview of the implementation of the national policy on education in Nigeria,” International Journal of Innovative Social & Science Education Research, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 16–22, 2024.
C. Wosu and D. Okoro, “Teachers' quality of work-life and job dedication in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State,” African Journal of Research and Literature, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 78–86, 2024.
A. Yakubu and H. M. Mainoma, “Teachers’ job satisfaction and effective implementation of the national policy on education in Taraba State, Nigeria,” International Journal of Education Humanities and Social Science, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 41–51, 2023.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nancy Noble Nwanwa

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
In submitting the manuscript to the International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE), the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- The publication has been approved by the author(s) and by responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
License and Copyright Agreement
Authors who publish with International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE) agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE) right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.





