Lived experiences of teachers in long-distance marriage in selected secondary schools of Choma district.
Date
2022-06-21
Authors
Muwana, Kwalela
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of teachers on long distance
marriage in Choma District of Zambia. The study was guided by the following research
questions; what are the challenges faced by teachers on distant marriage? What are the factors
that lead to distant marriage on teachers? What is the impact of long distant marriage on teachers
and finally, to what are the altitudes of teachers on long distance marriage in the three secondary
schools of Choma District? These questions formed the main basis for the achievement of the
study’s overarching purpose highlighted earlier. The three main factors that contributed to
teacher’s leaving apart were employment, promotions and transfers. The highlighted factors can
stabilize a family .Family life is important in every society because it comes with positive
benefits, which include good parenting, social fulfilment, economic balance, conjugal
responsibility, among others. Despite the importance of family life and the benefits that come
with it, government does not consider marriage values to be aligned to work. Certainly, the
positive effects of marriage may not be ascertained by people who live apart on commuter
marriage.
Lived experiences of teachers on long distant marriage are of concern. The aim of this study was
to assess the lived experiences of teachers faced with long distant marriages and the dynamics on
perceived marital as well as job fulfilment in Zambia. In order to assess the lived experiences of
teachers on long distance marriage, three objectives guided this study that is; to assess the causes
that lead to distant marriage on teachers, to explore the performance of teachers on long distant
marriages and thereafter to establish teacher’s altitudes towards long distant marriage. Six main
components of teacher profession were: teachers’ family life, parenting, availability on duty,
performance, finances and communication.
This ethnographic and phenomenological research was conducted at three secondary schools of
Choma district. Ethnographic study is defined as a method of qualitative methodology that lends
itself to the study of the social interactions, and behaviours’ of small societies, involving
participation and observation over a period of time, and the interpretation of the data.
Finally, the following recommendations were made; need for convenient change of station
process or by putting married workers in reachable distances .Redesign the conditions of service
from individualized to a more family accommodative one, reduce on years to serve from one
station from 4 to 2 years respectively. Furthermore, improve the teacher’s conditions of service
to allow them to run two homes amidst economic pressure .In as much as government desires to
reduce on teacher pupil ratio in peri- urban and rural schools teacher motivation, is supposed to
be the base of employment, retention and promotion .A happy and marital fulfilled teacher may
increase high productivity as compared to a frustrated one.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Long distance relationships. , Interpersonal relations. , Long distance living.