Perception of Headmasters, Form Masters and Heads of Departments of the Effects of Stress on their Work in the Dormaa Districts

Abstract

The study examined the perception of Headmasters, Assistant headmasters, Form masters and Heads of Departments of the effects of stress on their work in the Dormaa districts. The study used a descriptive research survey with one hundred and forty (140) participants. Forty one (41) questions were used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential analysis (Means, standard deviations and analysis of variance) were carried out to examine the perception of the respondents of the effects of stress on their work. The following were the major findings: Respondents agreed having high stress level at work, and that stress was caused by: workload, students behaviour/misbehavior, inadequate motivation, supervision and administration, lack of facilities, behaviour of superiors, behaviour of parents, inadequate recreation/break periods/leisure. Respondents also concurred that stress had negative effects on them. The level of effects differed among the respondents but the differences were not heterogeneous. On stress management, they reported using such techniques as the following: talking with friends/Colleagues /family members etc., engaging in browsing the internet/social media when stressed, listening to music to control stress level, resorting to sleeping or taking naps to manage stress levels, reading books, engaging in sports, taking and finally, going for psychotherapy when stressed. Key recommendations to the study are that the Headmasters, in collaboration with the District Directors of Education and other stakeholders may need to ensure the following: Reconsidering the busy schedules of the school leaders, making use of counsellors in the schools and the provision of infrastructural facilities.