TEACHER HAPPINESS AND JOB SATISFACTION DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2018 GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Abstract

The perception of happiness among teachers has become an important criterion in evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs. This study aimed to investigate the perception of happiness among secondary school teachers in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam during the implementation of the 2018 General Education Program. The study focused on teachers' job satisfaction, what motivates them, and the factors that affect their job satisfaction. The research team used a 5-point scale questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and observation sheets to collect data from 290 teachers from seven secondary schools. The study found that teachers' job satisfaction, as measured by positive emotional states, has improved since the implementation of the new program. However, teachers are still dissatisfied with their perception of “The job is meaningful”, the lowest-ranked assessment criterion. The study also revealed that teachers feel most motivated by their jobs and good relationships with colleagues, while they are least satisfied with student results. The authors recommend that the Ministry of Education and Training takes appropriate actions to enhance teachers' perception of happiness and promote student academic results. This study provides new data on the perception of happiness among teachers, and contributes to the Ministry of Education's understanding of current teachers' feelings.