Job motivation profiles of Maltese physical education teachers

Abstract

This research focuses on the motivating and de-motivating factors encountered by the physical educators who teach at the secondary tract in the Maltese Islands. The intent of this study is to examine the differences emerging from different cohorts such as; teachers coming from different school backgrounds, teachers having different years of experience and differences between gender. The research approach adopted in this dissertation includes both quantitative and qualitative methods. Approximately 90% (130 out of a total of 144) of Maltese Physical Educators teaching in the secondary tract participated in this study, by filling in a questionnaire. This phase was followed by in-depth interviews with 6 respondents, 3 male, 3 female physical education teachers. These were, selected from different backgrounds and had various years of teaching experience. The findings from this research provide evidence that the majority of P.E. teachers in Malta are motivated in their job and are not willing to change it, but some de-motivating factors such as the behaviour and attitude of students, the amount of paperwork and salary, are conspicuous. The main conclusions drawn from this study are that the greater part of our respondent teachers would be further motivated if some were given more importance by the educational system, such as fewer amounts of students per class; more opportunities for promotion and the subject. This dissertation recommends that in order for physical education to become a sturdier subject in the Maltese secondary schools, one must start from those who teach it. There is an urgent need to tackle these important issues.