Satisfaction with work life under scrutiny: An evidential account of Colleges of Education Employees in Ghana

Abstract

Career satisfaction of employees of colleges of education in Ghana was the main focus of this study.  Being underpinned by the pragmatism philosophy and directed by Two factor theory of Herzberg in 1959, this research employed mixed methods (embedded approach) methodology to obtain data from the members of staff. A sample of 210 members of staff was selected through a multiphase sampling technique to provide quantitative data by filling surveys, whereas 5 heads of the institutions (principals) were selected by means of a purposive sampling technique for qualitative data. Out of a study population of 443 employees, 215 of them were selected. Descriptive statistical analysis tool (mean and standard deviation) with the support of Statistical Package for the Social Science (IBM SPSS) was utilised to do the analysis of the statistical data; however, the non-statistical data was transcribed and analysed thematically. It was found by the current research that the employees in the study institutions had a high level of happiness in their work (mean of overall means =3.38). On the whole, staff members were found to be highly satisfied with dimensions of job satisfaction such as work it-self (mean values of 3.67) and working conditions (mean value of 3.67), but they were dissatisfied with their pay/benefits (mean value of 2.64). The study recommends that the Ghana Government, through its agencies like the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), should run workshops for colleges’officials about the relevance of career contentment and the need to enhance staff satisfaction. Colleges should also design suitable policies concerning the rapid payment of fair allowances and remuneration.