An exploratory study as to the role played by extrinsic and intrinsic factors in determining job satisfaction amongst urban secondary-school teachers in Namibia was undertaken. Biographical variables pertaining to the teachers’ gender, age, marital status, school area, teaching experience, academic qualifications and rank were also investigated so as to determine whether these had any significant relevance, or made any notable contribution, to the level of job satisfaction experienced. Also, the correlation between burnout and job satisfaction was investigated in order to determine the extent to which these two factors might be related. A sample of 337 secondary-school teachers randomly selected from 17 government schools situated in the Windhoek region of Namibia voluntarily participated in the study. Results showed significant levels of dissatisfaction pertaining to intrinsic factors of work and, more especially, those factors relating to school area and rank. A significant correlation between levels of burnout and job satisfaction was found, particularly in respect of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, which were shown to correlate with low levels of job satisfaction. Limitations and recommendations pertaining to the study are also discussed.

https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v28n2a127