Do Teacher Characteristics Influence the Relationship Between School Performance and Quit Intent? Insights from Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi City County

The general objective of this study was to establish the influence of teacher characteristics on the relationship between school performance and quit intent among public secondary school teachers in Nairobi City County. The study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey research design whereby data was collected from teachers sampled across public secondary schools in Nairobi City County. The target population for this study comprised a total of 2048 teachers in the public secondary schools in Nairobi City County. Using purposive sampling, the sample was prorated and picked from 69 public secondary schools in Nairobi City County. The sample comprised 207 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents on all the variables. Data on all the indicators, and hence variables, was then analysed guided by the four objectives using linear regression method and descriptive method. The study found that school performance had a significant and negative effect on quit intent among public secondary school teachers. Teacher characteristics had a significant and negative influence on the relationship between school performance and quit intent among public secondary school teachers in Nairobi City County. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should put in place measures to improve school performance, undertake initiatives to enhance teacher characteristics, create an environment of trust and collaboration to encourage teachers to take ownership of their school's performance. The study recommends that the TSC put a lot more consideration on the characteristics of teachers such as level of education, age and work experience when hiring teachers and progressively. This will ensure that those employed fit in the positions and hence can work in the schools long enough. Keywords: Teacher Characteristics; School Performance; Public Secondary Schools; Quit Intent DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/16-3-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2024