The Mediating Effect of Work Motivation on the Relationship Between Distributed Leadership of School Heads and Teacher Retention

Teacher retention remains a vital challenge faced by private Basic Education institutions nowadays. Effective leadership and work motivation play a vital role in addressing this concern. Teacher commitment has been linked to distributed leadership which fosters collaboration and shared decision-making among school leaders and teachers. On the other hand, work motivation may influence teachers’ retention intention. This study examined the mediating role of work motivation on the relationship between distributed leadership of school leaders and teacher retention. The findings of the study are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically, SDG 3 which fosters good health and well-being; SDG 4, which intends to guarantee quality education and foster lifelong learning opportunities for everyone; and SDG 8 which promotes productive employment, economic growth, and decent work for all. Moreover, it seeks to provide school leaders with insights that can help promote a motivating and empowering work environment for teachers.