The Influence of Accounting Teachers' Qualifications and Experience on Senior Secondary School Students' Academic Performance in Ogun East Senatorial District, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the motivational strategies used by principals in the administration of public secondary schools in Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria, the importance teachers attach to motivation in the teaching-learning process, and the factors that influence teacher motivation. A descriptive survey design was adopted. One hundred teachers were selected by simple random sampling from five public secondary schools (20 per school) and responded to a structured questionnaire with a four-point agreement scale; all 100 copies were retrieved. Research questions were answered with frequency counts and percentages, and the three null hypotheses were tested with the chi-square statistic at the 0.05 level. Teachers reported that their principals motivate them chiefly through positive leadership behaviour (89 % agreement), empathy and fairness on academic and disciplinary matters (86 %), and assignment of duties that expand teaching skills (92 %); delegation of responsibility (65 %) and encouragement of innovation (68 %) were reported less often. Timely recommendation for promotion (96 %), opportunities for professional growth (83 %) and allotment of duties according to interest (74 %) were rated the most important motivators for effective teaching and learning, while financial incentives for extra work drew the lowest agreement (61 %). The character of the school administrator, the economic state of the nation and the school, the physical environment and constant feedback were identified as the main influences on motivation. All three null hypotheses were rejected (χ² = 275.32, 217.15 and 219.16; df = 12; critical value 21.03). The study recommends that principals recognise good work, assign meaningful and skill-building tasks, support capacity building, and that government ensure regular promotion, remuneration and provision of facilities.