Pay Raise for Teachers in Bhutan: Impacts on Teachers’ Morale, Motivation and Professional Practices

Abstract

The study explored the Bhutanese education stakeholders’ perceptions of the impacts of the pay raise on teachers’ morale, motivation and professional practices. Pay is among the most important factors for teachers’ morale, motivation and professional practices. The study collected quantitative data through questionnaires from 701 teachers and qualitative data through four focus group interviews with teachers and one-on-one interviews with four principals and one officer from the Ministry of Education. The findings revealed that teachers are partially happy with the pay revision. While teachers agreed that the pay raise has made their lives more comfortable and financially secure, the study pointed out that pay increase alone cannot raise teachers’ morale and motivation and improve their professional practices. Other equally important factors include facilities, training opportunities, school environment, workload and school leadership. The study recommends that the government adopt a holistic approach that will raise the morale, motivation, and professional practice of teachers and ensure the achievement of quality education in the country.