Role of Teacher Related Factors in Basic Education: A Case of Govt. Secondary Schools in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Karachi is the largest and most populous metropolitan city of Pakistan and 7^th largest in the world in terms of population with 23 million individuals. It has unique socio-political chemistry, diversity of cultures. Happenings in Karachi greatly influence the whole of the country. Quality of education, particularly in government secondary schools of Karachi dropped during the last few decades that ultimately affected local & countrywide levels in several ways. This study examines the factors that are internally related to the teachers of Secondary schools and their effects on education that is delivered to the students. 144 public sector secondary schools were selected for the study. Factors like professional norms, terms and conditions of service, choice of profession, professional capability and teacher-Student relationship were studied. The results show a highly dejected experience by the teachers. The study shows that generally most of the government teachers are labeled as sub-standard, inadequate with poor delivery of knowledge but there are some specific grounds and complications which are not considered for example without adequate educational environment, resource fulfillment and mental & financial satisfaction it is very difficult for teachers to perform in a productive manner. In the contextual study, the teachers’ service terms/conditions and teachers’ competence have found to be significantly correlated with academic achievements of students. It has been observed that teachers’ are economically & socially struggling for their overall survival. Furth more, there has been a consistent decline in the social status of the teachers. These factors have been mainly contributing to the ever-falling standards of secondary education in Karachi.