Motivational Factors for Joining Open and Distance Learning among Secondary School Teachers in Kyela, Tanzania.

The purpose of the study was to examine motivational factors for secondary school teachers to join ODL in Tanzania a case study of Kyela District. The objectives of the study were to assess the extent to which current needs, professional needs, future needs, curiosity satisfaction and social influence motivate secondary school teachers to join ODL. The theory which guided the study is the Human Capital Theory which was originally proposed by Schutz in 1961. The study employed quantitative research approach in which cross-sectional survey research design was used. Data collection techniques used in this study were closed and open-ended questionnaires. Population of this study was secondary school teachers (those who pursue ODL studies and those who do not pursue ODL studies) and Heads of schools. The sample size was 155 secondary school teachers and 20 Heads of schools. The study revealed that secondary school teachers are mainly motivated to join ODL by aspirations to fulfil career requirements related to current needs, professional needs, future needs, curiosity satisfaction needs and the impact of social influence. The study also disclosed that secondary school teachers aspiring to pursue ODL studies need guidance and counselling services as well as encouragement and financial support from their supervisors and the employer. Hence the study recommends that there is a need for ODL institutions to integrate theory and practice in delivering ODL to enable secondary school teachers develop their careers. There is a need for OUT to plan the programme of ICT studies by using face to face mode to teach the students on how to access study materials using electronics. Keywords: Factors for joining open and distance learning among secondary school teacher