Environmental Stressors And Their Impact On Public-Funded Normal Students' Decision To Fulfil Teaching Contracts: A Meta-Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/nv380d20Keywords:
Environmental stressors, public-funded normal students, teaching contracts, meta-analysis, teacher retention, JD-R model, theory of planned behaviorAbstract
Normal students who have received government-funded teacher education are paramount in providing teachers in underprivileged areas that experience shortages. Nonetheless, environmental factors like favorable working conditions, economic circumstances, societal demands, and geographical seclusion commonly discourage students from completing obligatory teaching requirements. This meta-analysis integrates 45 quantitative studies between 2010 and 2025 to assess the effect sizes of the characteristics of these stressors on the choices of contract fulfillment. Our results based on a random-effects model with a robust estimation of standard errors provided a moderate to large size negative effect (Hedges g = -0.62, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.46], p < 0.001). The distribution of stressors at work (g = -0.74) and financial constraints (g = -0.58) were the most influential factors. Inclusion of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model shapes the explanation to show how a lack of resources, high demands, and negative attitudes toward aspects of teaching areas comprise commitment. Significant heterogeneity was present (I 2 = 84%), which means that cross-cultural, economic, and educational frameworks vary relative to contexts. Recommendations on policy ways should therefore boost workplace support mechanisms, attractive packages of financial benefits, mentoring services, and improvement of infrastructure, specifically within the rural localities. The paper will make a considerable contribution to its field of study by making some contribution to teacher retention literature and offering evidence-based policy guidance in teacher retention to the education policy of any major study in the nation that the government funds.