Possible Measures to Improve the Performance of the Tanzania Teachers' Union (TTU) and Their Influence on Teachers' Job Satisfaction in Tanzania

This study is about the possible measures to improve the performance of the Tanzania Teachers' Union (TTU) on teachers' job satisfaction in Tanzania. This study was conducted in Ilemela and Nyamagana districts, Mwanza, Tanzania. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible measures to improve the performance of TTU in ensuring teachers' job satisfaction. The study was guided by Webb's theory of trade unions. The study employed a pragmatic research paradigm, mixed-methods research approach, and explanatory sequential design. The targeted population of the study was 2672 teachers from public secondary schools in Ilemela and Nyamagana districts who are TTU members and 4TTU district leaders in Ilemela and Nyamagana districts. This population was represented by a sample of 348 teachers and four TTU district leaders from Ilemela and Nyamagana districts. Simple random sampling was used to obtain 348 teachers from 58 public secondary schools in Ilemela and Nyamagana districts. Each school served 6 teachers who are TTU members while the 4TTU district leaders were obtained through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected through descriptive survey in which closed ended questionnaire were administered to teacher respondents. While qualitative data were collected through individual interviews and documentary review. Individual interviews were administered to 4 TTU district leaders. Furthermore, quantitative data were analysed by using descriptive analysis while qualitative data employed thematic analysis. Findings of the study revealed that there is low performance of TTU on ensuring teachers' job satisfaction in public secondary schools. There is poor working environment, low involvement of teachers' in decision making, low salaries, low teachers' promotion, delayed allowances and low teachers' professional development. Therefore, to improve the performance of TTU, it was recommended that TTU should be reformed and made one of the education policy-making organ. Reformation of TTU will make it independent and more powerful in fighting for teachers' rights. Also, making TTU one of the education policy making organ will facilitate implementation of the education policies among teachers.