Teacher Motivation in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

This is one of a series of Education Papers issued by the Central Research Department of the Department For International Development. Each paper represents a study or piece of commissioned research on some aspect of education and training in developing countries. Most of the studies were undertaken in order to provide informed judgements from which policy decisions could be drawn, but in each case it has become apparent that the material produced would be of interest to a wider audience, particularly those whose work focuses on developing countries.This report synthesises the main findings and recommendations of an international research project on teacher motivation and incentives in sub-Sahara Africa and South Asia. The study has addressed the following four main questions: • To what extent is there a problem of poor motivation among teachers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia? Does this amount to a ‘crisis’, as has been suggested by some observers? • If so, what are the main reasons for poor teacher motivation? • How do poor motivation and incentives affect teacher performance and the overall effectiveness of national education systems? • What should be done to ensure that teachers are adequately motivated?