Cultural Influence on Teacher Motivation-A Country Study of Maldives

The research reported in this study explored stakeholders' perceptions of the motivational influences for successful indigenous teachers to stay on as teachers in the islands of the Maldives. This case study employed qualitative methods of interviewing, focus-group meetings and questionnaires to collect data from local indigenous groups and included school principals, leading teachers, successful teachers, parents and students. Analysis of data via a grounded theory approach indicated that the participants' perceptions of what motivated successful teachers to remain as teachers were influenced by social and cultural aspects. The sense of belongingness and relationships were identified among them as motivational influences. It was also clear that the motivational influences to stay on in the teaching profession were contextual, inter-related, inter-dependent and multifaceted.