Abstract:
In educational institution, teachers and supportive staff are the most important among all
other resources reservation. The main purpose of this study was to assess employee motivation
and retention in Secondary Schools of North Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State. This study
mainly focused on the existing status of employee motivation, motivations techniques, staff
motivation practices in terms of fringe benefits and working condition that implemented to
employee retention, challenges and motivation mechanisms that can be used to minimize the
challenges encountered. In order to achieve these objectives, the researcher employed
descriptive survey method. Data gathering instruments were questionnaire and interview. The
study conducted in nine schools. These sample schools were selected by simple random
sampling method. 141 teachers were included in the sample by simple random sampling
techniques. 64 supportive staff were selected by available sampling technique. The
quantitative data were analyzed using percentage, mean, frequency tables and t test. The
qualitative data were narrated and triangulated with the information obtained through
questionnaire and interview. The major findings of the study revealed that: employees low job
satisfaction, lack of interest on their professional area, low salary payment as comparing to
other sectors and low status of teachers and supportive staff having in the community. Giving
allowance for additional works, recognizing higher achiever employees, creating conducive
atmosphere, and opportunities to employee to express their own feeling freely implementation
were not practiced in the study area to retain employees in the schools. Lack of giving skill
recognition, unsuitable school climate, lack of trained supervisor and leaders, low access of
training are the major challenges that faced employees. From the finding it is possible to
conclude that the current motivation level of employees found to be low to retain employees,
fringe benefits and work condition motivation were not practiced. Regional Bureau and Zone
Education Office should design the way in which employees gain additional benefit from
his/her profession through overtime payment and giving development chance. In addition,
Regional Education Bureau and Zone Education Office should prepare a guideline in which
equally qualified candidates paid similarly although they work in different sectors. School
leaders should encourage, treat equally and reward active participants and cooperation and
recognized the best achievers are major issues that are recommended by the researcher