There is increasing focus globally on the importance of a professional, motivated teacher workforce, as evidenced by several (thematic) indicators under SDG 4. However, it is a matter of considerable debate how to best motivate teachers to improve student learning outcomes and their own professional development sustainably. This has led some governments to consider and introduce elaborate “carrots and sticks”, ranging from performance bonuses to biometric fingerprinting scans for attendance. In many cases, these are targeted to individual teachers. Other governments are instituting innovative career models or expect positive effects from decentralisation and school autonomy. The question of sustainability – whether behavioural, political or economic – is not necessarily considered, when these decisions are made.
A concept note for The World Development Report 2018 proposes that, “approaches that build on teachers’ intrinsic motivation show promise”. This proposed symposium aims to engage participants in a focused discussion about how the “promise” of intrinsic teacher motivation can be realised.
The proposed structure and details about presentations are below:
Scene setting presentation:
Eugene Dapper, UCL Institute of Education: What do we know about teacher motivation? A global literature review
This presentation will share findings from a literature review to understand current thinking and evidence related to teacher motivation, professionalism and retention. The review is looking at the evidence related to school and system-level strategies that support improved performance and commitment of teachers and examines school, district and system-level strategies and examples of teacher motivation, professionalism and retention.
Two ‘case study’ presentations:
1. Dr. Jef Peeraer, VVOB Rwanda: School leadership and teacher motivation
Effective school leadership is associated with greater student wellbeing and better learning outcomes. The relationship is strong and research indicates that it works primarily through improved teacher motivation and working conditions. Aware of this, the Rwandan Government’s Education Sector Strategic Plan prioritises the professional development of head teachers. VVOB supports the Rwanda Education Board in these efforts.
Over a period of 2 years, head teachers of 120 sectors have participated in Peer Learning Networks, coached by trained Sector Education Officers. An exploratory social returns on investment analysis of the intervention suggests positive effects on teacher motivation. In focus groups, teachers have emphasized more delegated leadership and greater involvement in school-level policy discussions as motivating factors. This corresponds with a self-determination theory of teacher motivation. Preliminary results of additional quantitative and qualitative research will be presented as a basis for discussion on how to motivate teachers sustainably.
2. James Townsend, STIR Education: Teacher networks and intrinsic motivation
Working with state governments in India (Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka) and the government of Uganda, STIR Education builds teacher networks designed to ignite and sustain teachers’ intrinsic motivation and improve classroom practice and children’s learning at system level. Over 27,000 teachers in over 10,000 schools currently participate in networks.
We will share learning and initial results from internal learning and large scale independent evaluations of the impact of teacher networks on teacher motivation, classroom practice and learning outcomes. The evaluations include a World Bank funded randomized control trial in India; a USAID funded matched control trial in India; and findings from initial testing of new tools to measure teacher motivation and practice created in conjunction with New York University. All the presentations will act as stimulus for group discussions about how teachers’ intrinsic motivation can be increased and sustained; how a policy case can be made for reforms designed to support teacher intrinsic motivation; and what else do we need to know in this area?
