Running a head: Teachers’ Motivation in Ethiopia Publication info: Aweke, Shishigu (2015). Factors Affecting Teachers Motivation and Professional- ism: The Case of Public Primary Schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, volume 3, issue 8 Factors Affecting Teachers Motivation and Professionalism: The Case of Public Primary Schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Aweke Shishigu PhD candidate, department of science and mathematics education, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia Email: awekeu@gmail.com Abstract This qualitative case study aimed to investigate factors that affect teachers’ motivation and profes- sionalism. Two public second cycle primary schools was selected in Addis Ababa. A structured and semi structured interview was conducted with teacher participants and also an open and closed ended questionnaire was administered. Field observation was also conducted for consecutive five weeks. From the data obtained the key factor for poor motivation of teachers was repellent salary. Teachers felt that the salary and incentives are very low. The study also revealed that the other reason, in addition to salary and benefits, for the low motivation of teachers was the low emphasis given by the society, student’s misbehavior and the inability of the school management & adminis- tration to effectively address the teachers’ demands for supportive and fair leadership. Keywords Incentive, teacher motivation, success, quality education