THE ROLE PLAYED BY REWARD STRATEGIES IN IMPROVING TEACHERS’ PERFORMANCE IN HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE HHOHHO REGION IN ESWATINI :A CRITICAL INVESTIGATION. BY DARREN CHIPATO SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR (DOCTOR IN EDUCATION IN HUMANITIES) IN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR PHILIP HIGGS DECEMBER 2018 i COPYRIGHT This thesis is a copyright material. Not even a single part of this document may be produced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without prior written permission of the author or University of Kwazulu – Natal in that behalf. ii DECLARATION I Darren Chipato do hereby sincerely and honestly declare that this research work entitled “The role played by reward strategies in improving teachers’ performance in high schools in the Hhohho region in Eswatini”, has not been submitted for any similar degree in any other University hence it is duly declared original work. The thesis is submitted with the full knowledge and permission from the supervisor. Signed------------------------------------------Date-------------------------------- Darren Chipato Student number 214584192 As the Candidate’s supervisor I have approved this thesis for admission. Signed------------------------------------------Date----------------------------------- Prof Philip Higgs iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my beloved wife Wendie, my son Brine and my daughter Tovongaishe. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In line with the preparation and completion of my report, I feel greatly honored and obliged to express my heart – felt and profound gratitude to many individuals who immensely contributed directly and indirectly to make this report successful. First of all I would like to thank the Almighty God for providing me with his solo monic wisdom, protection, strength and health in this entire academic struggle. My deepest sincere appreciation goes to my research supervisor Professor Phillip Higgs for his insights, constructive criticism, patience, guidance and support that made me to emerge as an outright victor in this research work. Thank you so much. My special gratitude goes to the Ministry of Education and Training, school heads and teachers in the Hhohho region of Eswatini for granting me permission to visit schools and collected data. My sincere appreciation is extended to administrative staff of University of Kwazulu –Natal for their unwavering support and assistance. Lastly, I would like to thank all those people who assisted me and their names do not appear in this report, rather I say thank you all, may God bless you abundantly. v ABSTRACT Rewards represent an employees’ desire, persistence and commitment which is largely manifested as job performance. In this case, the job which is highly influenced by both growth factors (intrinsic) and hygiene factors (extrinsic) is likely to result in high performance and few complaints among employees. The purpose of this study was to examine the role played by reward strategies in improving teachers’ performance in high schools in the Hhohho region of Eswatini. In this study, a descriptive research design which incorporated quantitative and qualitative research methods was adopted to investigate rewards strategies that can be used to improve teachers’ performance. A survey was carried out with 30 high school teachers and 10 school heads in the Hhohho region. Both heads and teachers were selected using random and convenience sampling techniques. The philosophical framework used were Positivism, Interpretivism, Critical theory, Herzeberg’s two factor theory, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs , Expectancy theory and McGregor theory Y and X. The research instruments used included questionnaires, interview guides, triangulation which is a way of assuring the validity and reliability of instruments. Data collection procedures were followed by obtaining consent from the Ministry of Education and Training and Principals of high schools. Ethical principles were also followed by observing privacy and anonymity of participants as well as obtaining their consent. Tables and charts were used to present quantitative data which was stored in CDS and flash drives. Data collected from interviews was presented by quoting the voices of the respondents which made the data to be analyzed thematically. Data collected from interviews was analyzed using descriptive statistics of SPSS package. The study revealed that both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards have much influence towards motivation of teachers since different employees have different expectations, values and beliefs. External factors such as political, economic and social have a huge impact on employees’ level of motivation although schools do not have much control over them. The study recommends the immediate increase in the salary of high school teachers in order to cushion them from high inflation and high cost of living and this may help in improving teachers’ performance.The conclusion made from this study was that, different employees have different expectations, values and beliefs hence the need to use both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards when motivating teachers. The study suggests further areas for research and these include the investigation of innovative reward strategies which respond to a competitive and dynamic business environments in order to meet teachers’ expectations. There is also a need to extend the same study to other regions of Eswatini to make the results more generalizable. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENT PAGE COPYRIGHT ............................................................................................................................ ii DECLARATION ...................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........................................................................................................v ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... vii LIST OF APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... xi LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................xii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................ xiii LIST OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 1.2 Background of the Study ...........................................................................................6 1.3 Rationale and Relevance of the Study ........................................................................8 1.4 Problem Statement................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 12 1.6 Aim of the Study...................................................................................................... 12 1.7 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................ 13 1.8 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 13 1.9 Research Methodology ............................................................................................ 15 1.10 Research Methods ................................................................................................... 16 1.11 Selection of participants/ sampling .......................................................................... 16 1.12 Data collection methods........................................................................................... 17 1,13 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 18 1.14 Limitations and Delimitations of the study ............................................................... 18 1.15 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................... 18 1.16 Delimitations of the Study ....................................................................................... 19 1.17 Summary of the Chapters ........................................................................................ 19 vii 1.18 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 20 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 22 2.2 Research Studies That Have Already Been Done On The Theme Of The Study ........ 24 2.3 International Studies Conducted On The Impact Of Rewards On Teacher Performance ……24 2.4 South Carolina Individual and Group-Based Reward Programmes ...........................