Influential factors guiding Principals’ motivational practices for Quality Teaching at Senior Secondary Schools in the South District of Botswana

Influential factors guiding Principals’ motivational practices for Quality Teaching at Senior Secondary Schools in the South District of Botswana

Buyisani Dube , Mbulaheni Paul Tshisikhawe & Tlhalefo Kesetse

Issue: Vol. 7 No.5 2026 Article 10 pp.1299 – 1310
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20267510 Published online 23rd June 2026

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ABSTRACT

Quality education is a consistent narrative for developing countries that seek to leapfrog their status as world leaders in human development. Teachers are recognised to play a critical role in ensuring that teaching and learning are carried out according to expectations. Therefore, this study was set up to explore the influential factors guiding the motivational practices for quality teaching in high schools in the South District of Botswana. A qualitative research approach of the interpretive paradigm was employed to guide this research. The study used a case study research design. The population of the study included all teachers and principals from the 5 schools under study. The sampling procedure used was non-probability purposive sampling, which allowed for the selection of information-rich participants regarding teacher motivation at senior secondary schools. Interviews were conducted with teachers and principals, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings from the study revealed that teacher recognition and promotions, improved conditions of service, financial incentives, as well as training and development, were the principal factors influencing principals’ motivational practices for quality teaching. The study recommends that workshops and conferences for teachers should be held regularly to upgrade their skills, salaries need to be reviewed constantly, and resources, such as accommodation, should be facilitated to enhance teacher performance. This study contributes to scholarship by expanding the body of knowledge on teacher motivation and quality teaching within the context of senior secondary schools in Botswana, particularly in the South District.

Keywords: Motivational Practices, Principal, Quality Teaching, Senior Secondary School, Teacher Motivation.

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Dr. Buyisani Dube is a lecturer at the BA ISAGO University in Botswana. He holds a Doctor of Education Degree (Curriculum Studies), a Master of Education Degree (Educational Administration, Planning, and Policy Studies), a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and a Graduate Certificate in Education (Grad. CE). He has completed a CREST Online Course on the Supervision of Doctoral Students at African Universities. Dr. Dube has a wealth of teaching experience in high schools and teacher education colleges. He has lectured at the Zimbabwe Open University, the University of Venda, and the University of Mpumalanga in South Africa. Dr. Dube is the Head of Department in the Department of Educational Administration, Leadership, and Management at the current institution.

Dr. Mbulaheni Paul Tshisikhawe graduated with a DED (Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies) from the University of Venda and a postgraduate diploma from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is a senior lecturer in the Department of Professional and Curriculum Studies, School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education. He is the coordinator of the Postgraduate Senior Certificate (SEPGCE) and the Honors in Curriculum Studies. Dr.Tshisikhawe is a member of the Senate of the University of Venda, the Research Ethics Committee, and the Schools’ Higher Degrees Committee. He was a member of the National Research Foundation (NRF), project “Capacity building for management of learner pregnancy in schools, Grant number 90391, in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The project paid dividends for my success by helping me develop important research skills, including data collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation.

Ms Tlhalefo Kesetse is an educational researcher specializing in institutional governance and strategic school management. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management. As a dedicated research enthusiast, Kesetse’s work investigates modern administrative practices, policy execution, and methods for fostering collaborative, high-achieving learning environments in contemporary school systems.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Dube, Buyisani, Mbulaheni Paul Tshisikhawe, and Tlhalefo Kesetse. “Influential factors guiding Principals’ motivational practices for Quality Teaching at Senior Secondary Schools in the South District of Botswana.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.5 (2026): 1300 – 1311. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20267510