Research Highlights in Language, Literature and Education Vol. 7

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of School internal factors on teacher effectiveness in secondary schools in Lira District.

Studies on teacher effectiveness provide some insights into the qualities that connect teacher effectiveness and student achievement. A correlational research design was used to measure the associations between the study variables. The study focused on all secondary schools in Lira District, all teachers in secondary schools in Lira District, all head  teachers in secondary schools in Lira District, all Board of Governors (BOG) in secondary schools in Lira District all Parent Teacher Association (PTA), as well as District inspectors of schools (DIS) and District Education Officer (DEO).

The result showed a strong positive correlation between school internal factors and teacher effectiveness in secondary schools in Lira district (r= 0.751, P<0.05), implying that the school internal factors which are the predictor variables significantly account for the teacher effectiveness although they account for only 56% (R² = 0.564, p<0.05). The qualitative interviews held with the head teachers, DEO, DIS and focused group discussions held with BOG and PTA also revealed that school internal factors influence teacher effectiveness. The thematic curriculum is believed that it will improve education quality in Uganda, more specifically by increasing the achievement levels of students in literacy, numeracy and life skills.

Teacher efficiency in secondary schools in the Lira district is significantly positively correlated with school internal characteristics. This suggests that elevating or lowering internal school factors in secondary schools causes a significant elevation or diminution in teacher efficacy.. Extensive research is required on factors other than school-internal issues that may affect teachers' efficacy in the classroom, and similar studies should be carried out at Uganda's elementary schools and higher educational institutions.