A Study of Teachers’ Work Responsibilities in Relation to Their Attitude Towards Teaching

Abstract

The present research study aimed to investigate the relationship between teachers’ work responsibilities and their attitude towards teaching. The study was based on a survey-based descriptive research design. A sample of 299 teachers teaching Classes XI and XII in 94 secondary schools recognized by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, was selected using a two-stage systematic sampling method. The sample comprised 179 male and 120 female teachers, including 126 teachers from the Arts stream, 119 from the Science stream, and 54 from the Commerce stream. Data were collected using the Teacher Work Responsibility Scale developed by Pratibha Sharma and the Teacher Attitude towards Teaching Scale, constructed by the researcher. The collected data were analysed using the correlation coefficient. The findings revealed a high positive and statistically significant correlation between teachers’ overall work responsibilities and their attitude towards teaching (r = 0.7808, p < 0.01). Positive and significant correlations were also observed among male teachers (r = 0.7902), female teachers (r = 0.7686), Arts teachers (r = 0.7537), Science teachers (r = 0.8058), and Commerce teachers (r = 0.8147). Furthermore, all dimensions of responsibility towards the institution, principal, students, classroom teaching, teaching profession, colleagues, and society were found to be significantly associated with teachers’ attitudes towards teaching. Consequently, all the null hypotheses of the study were rejected. In conclusion, higher levels of work responsibility among teachers were found to be associated with a more positive attitude towards teaching. The study is significant for teacher education, professional development, and the improvement of school functioning.