Teacher Welfare, Job Satisfaction, and Retention in Public Primary Schools in Benue State

This study examines the relationship between teacher welfare conditions, job satisfaction, and retention intentions in public primary schools in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. The persistent attrition of qualified teachers from the Nigerian public school system, particularly at the primary level, has been linked to poor remuneration, delayed salary payments, and inadequate welfare provisions. The study employs a descriptive survey design, targeting 280 primary school teachers from schools in Makurdi, Katsina-Ala, and Gboko local government areas. Data were gathered using a teacher welfare assessment questionnaire, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, and a teacher retention intention scale, all adapted for the Nigerian context. Structural equation modelling and Pearson correlation were applied. The study draws on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory. It examines salary regularity, housing provisions, health insurance, professional recognition, and collegial support as welfare dimensions predicting satisfaction and retention. Findings are anticipated to show that salary regularity and health insurance are the strongest predictors of job satisfaction, while job satisfaction significantly mediates the relationship between welfare conditions and retention intent. Recommendations target the Benue State Government, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, and the Universal Basic Education Commission on systematic reforms to teacher welfare packages and salary management. The study contributes management evidence for addressing teacher retention challenges in North Central Nigeria. Keywords: teacher welfare, job satisfaction, retention, primary schools, Benue State