Work Engagement and Teacher Autonomy among Secondary School Teachers (PDF)

Teacher autonomy is essential for ensuring a learning environment that addresses children's diverse needs. As much as the learner requires space, freedom, flexibility, and respect, the teacher also requires the same. Currently, the system of administrative hierarchies and control, examinations, and centralized planning for curriculum reform, all constrain the autonomy of the teacher. Even when there is curricular freedom, teachers do not feel confident that they can exercise it without being taken to task by the administration for doing things differently. Therefore, it is essential to enable and support them in exercising choice. As much as the classroom needs to nurture a democratic, flexible and accepting culture, the school institution and the bureaucratic structure need to do the same. Not only should the teacher receive orders and information, but the voice of the teacher should also be heard by the superiors, who often make decisions that affect the immediate classroom life and culture in the school. Relationships between teachers and their heads and principals must be informed by equality and mutual respect, and decision making must be on the basis of dialogue and discussion. The annual, monthly and weekly calendars of activities need to provide time for such staff interactions for reviewing and planning. This book intends to help the readers to understand how a research study can be conducted on teacher autonomy and work engagement of secondary school teachers.