TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCE OF WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT: IMPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of public secondary school teachers on workplace sexual harassment and the implications for sustainable national development. One research question and one research hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The study was carried out in the Enugu State. The population for the study 9764 public secondary school teachers. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to a sample of 977 respondents. A 17 items structured questionnaire developed by the researchers and titled Workplace Sexual Harassment Questionnaire (WSHQ) was used as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts, one expert in Measurement and Evaluation; and two experts in Educational Management, all from the Faculty of Education, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha method. The instrument yielded reliability indices coefficient of 'r' .78, which shows suitability of the instrument for the study. Copies of questionnaire were administered and retrieved by the researchers and 3 research assistants using direct delivery approach. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research question. The null hypothesis was tested using z–test statistics at .05 level of significance. From the result of the findings of the study, it was concluded that both male and female teachers were sexually harassed at work in public secondary schools in Enugu State. It was therefore, recommended among others that development partners should work with Post Primary School Management Board and the State Ministry of Education to design interventions on workplace sexual harassment. This will enable victims to speak up and seek adequate redress as well as build positive organizational culture in the schools devoid of such abusive behaviours