Remuneration system elements' impact on the performance of the teachers of general education institutions in the regions of Latvia

Abstract

The authors of the article present the results of a study on the evaluation of the remuneration and performance of teachers in general education institutions in the regions of Latvia, which is a topical issue in the implementation of education system reforms. The aim of the study was to find out the opinion of teachers working in general education institutions about the factors influencing work performance, paying special attention to the regional aspects of this problem. The study used quantitative research methods through an extensive online survey. The questionnaire identified the following factors influencing teachers' performance: financial remuneration, non-financial remuneration, organizational culture and politics. The opinion of teachers was analysed in depth by regions of Latvia. The results show that in all regions of Latvia the performance of teachers is most significantly influenced by financial remuneration, non-financial remuneration and organizational culture are also important, but political presence plays an insignificant role. The results also revealed that in all regions (least in Riga and Pieriga) the increase of the minimum monthly wage rate of teachers or the wage is not the determining factor that would increase the performance of teachers. Key words: education performance, regional development, regional disparities.