Factors Influencing Teacher Absenteeism in Public and Private Senior Secondary Schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated factors influencing teacher absenteeism in public and private senior secondary schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Two objectives were set out of which two research questions were raised and two research hypotheses were also formulated to guide the study. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consists of 213 public senior secondary schools and 149 private senior schools. Sample of 357 senior secondary school teachers were selected across the 20 LGAs through proportionate stratified sampling. Data collection was carried out with the use of research instrument titled “Factors of Teacher Absenteeism in Public and Private Senior Secondary Schools Questionnaire (FTAPPSSSQ)”, which was adapted to solicit information from 308 teachers and 39 principals. Reliability was ensured through a pilot study conducted in public and private senior secondary schools in Gombe State. The split-half method was employed, with a strong correlation coefficient of r=0.89, indicating the instrument's reliability. The instrument was subjected to content validity by two experts from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. 357 copies of questionnaires were distributed but 347 questionnaires were returned and analysed, which represents 97% response return rate. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), employing both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics was presented through Means and Standard Deviation, while inferential statistics was presented through Independent Sample t-test, with hypotheses tested at a 0.5 significance level. Empirical findings of this study provide valuable insights into the factors of absenteeism among teachers in public and private senior secondary schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The study found that gender does not significantly influence teachers’ absenteeism in both public and private schools (t= .29, p=.37). The study further reveals that rural schools had higher rates of absenteeism than urban schools (t= .35, p=.60). The study recommends addressing personal, school, and environmental factors, improving living and working conditions, promoting regular attendance, providing necessary infrastructure, and conducting supportive supervision such as special transportation allowance for teachers in rural areas.