The Prevailing School Culture that Influences Teachers’ Professional Conduct: Evidence from Mbogwe District, Tanzania
Tamasha Athuman Masaza, Edgar Nderego, & Agatha Mgogo
Teacher Service Commission, Mbogwe
The Open University of Tanzania
Email: tamashamasaza@gmail.com/ needgarn@gmail.com/agatha.mgogo@out.ac.tz
Abstract: The study examined the prevailing school culture influencing teachers’ professional conduct in public primary schools in Mbogwe District, Tanzania. The study was guided by Organisational Culture Theory and employed a pragmatic research paradigm using a convergent mixed-methods design. The study involved 105 participants, comprising 92 teachers selected through simple random sampling and 13 educational administrators selected purposively. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics and presented in frequencies and percentages, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the prevailing school culture generally supports teachers’ professional conduct. Specifically, 60% of respondents agreed that school leadership encourages open communication, 62% reported regular teacher collaboration, 78% indicated the existence of shared values and beliefs guiding teacher behaviour, 76% reported that the school environment promotes mutual respect, and 82% indicated that school management supports professional development. Qualitative findingsfrom head teachers and education officials largely corroborated the quantitative findings, demonstrating that communication, collaboration, shared values, mutual respect, and professional development contribute to professionalism, accountability, teamwork, motivation, and commitment among teachers. The study concludes that a supportive school culture is an important factor in promoting teachers’ professional conduct. It recommends strengthening participatory communication, teacher collaboration, shared professional values, respectful relationships, continuous professional development, and preventive approaches to professional misconduct.
