Surveying Reasons for Not Taking Annual Vacation Leave by State Teachers in Selected Primary Schools in Lusaka District, Zambia

Abstract

The study surveyed the reasons for not taking annual vacation leave by government primary teachers. This study employed qualitative and quantitative research strategies. Random sampling was used to draw samples of participants. A total of ninety-four participants took part in this study. Out of ninety-four, ten were head teachers and eighty-four were teachers. Data was collected using questionnaires for teachers and interview guides were employed to interview head teachers. The interviews were aided by the use of field notes and smart phone recorder. Data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods of analyzing data. The study revealed that the reasons teachers don’t take annual vacation leave was because of teacher’s lack of knowledge about terms and conditions of service on annual vacation leave. The role of school administration on teacher’s perception about annual vacation leave was mostly on giving enough and accurate information to teachers relating to annual vacation leave. Head teachers, standard officers, in-service training, teacher union haven’t been helpful in giving adequate information to teachers about annual vacation leave, hence teachers found it difficult to take vacation leave regularly. The teachers also individually were unable to read literature on leave in general, hence developing poor perception about taking annual vacation leave. Other findings revealed that the benefits of taking vacation leave by primary teachers were in two folds. The first one was the benefits to administrators and teachers when teachers took vacation leaves. The second one was the benefits to administrators and teachers when administrators took annual vacation leave regularly. Based on the findings, it was recommended that head teachers, teacher unions, school in-service training and standard officers should give teachers enough and accurate information about annual vacation leave. In addition, head teachers should stop managing DEBS in relation to vacation leave, hence, the DEBS should take to task every head teacher who don’t submit teacher vacation leave forms for approval.