When addressing teacher motivation, the research found that governments must first tackle basic working conditions. First, salaries must be attractive and aligned with comparable professions – as in Thailand and Scotland – before delving into different types of intrinsic motivators. Otherwise, the profession’s reputation could plummet, as was the case in Ethiopia where teaching is seen as a “last resort” because the low salary prevents teachers from meeting even basic needs.
Q. Why is teaching seen as a last resort in Ethiopia?