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.