Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the absenteeism of teachers on the performance of students in Government Secondary Schools and colleges in Tiko Sub Division, Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. It was particularly carried out in three secondary schools in Tiko Sub Division.

The study was guided by four specific research objectives which were: To find out whether file chasing by teachers affects the performance of students, to find out if teachers’ involvement in partisan politics affects the performance of students, to find out whether teachers’ involvement in part-time classes in other schools affects the performance of students and to find out whether teachers’ involvement in business affects the performance of students. Four specific research questions and hypotheses were deduced from each of the research objectives.

The descriptive survey research design was used for the study and data was gathered from a sample population of 105 teachers and 111 students belonging to three secondary schools and colleges in Tiko Sub-Division namely: Government Bilingual High School Tiko, Government Bilingual High School Mutengene and Government Technical High School Ombe. Questionnaire were administered to the targeted populations and were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively with the help of exploratory tables whereby umbrella terms were derived and grounded frequencies and percentages were used for closed-ended questions.

The chi-square was used to compare background information and the conceptual components to appraise significant differences. The spearman’s rho and Pearson’s correlation test were used for inferential statistics. The findings strongly indicates that there is a significant decrease in teachers’ professional output and students’ academic performance when they are involved in the chasing of files, partisan politics, part-time teaching and business while still in active service.

Based on the findings of this study, it was therefore recommended that the government should initiate and implement policies that call for the banning of teachers’ involvement in politics and business while still in active service, government should make sure that teachers upon graduation and posting should have their salaries immediately moreover, salaries for teachers should be increased. Teachers on their part should strive to maintain professional ethics and see teaching as a vocation and not a profession.