30% Of Primary School Leaders Working More Than 50 Hrs. Per Week.

Thursday, 6 May 2021 09:57

Maynooth U. study indicates heightened levels of stress and anxiety.

A Maynooth University study has found 30% of primary school principals and deputy principals say they are working more than 50 hours a week

860 school leaders took part in the study on wellbeing in primary schools, post-pandemic.

20% principals were found to be experiencing symptoms of severe stress when their responses were analysed using a scale to measure depression, anxiety, and stress.

Congratulations @JolantaBurke and colleagues @MU_Education . Being a principal was always a busy and difficult job. #covid19 has only added to these challenges. More supports required to enable them to focus on core role instead of continuous fire fighting #education #schools https://t.co/IA9lvXaxZb
— Cathal McCauley (@cathalmccauley) May 5, 2021

A separate cohort of 20% were experiencing anxiety, and a further 11% experienced depression.

The latter figure is in line with the national average.

Post-pandemic, those taking part pointed to a number of tasks that could be centralised in order to help ease their workload.

Most commonly cited were building works, and the hiring of substitute teachers.

The study was co-authored by Dr Jolanta Burke and Dr Majella Dempsey of Maynooth University's Department of Education.

Dr. Burke joined Clem Ryan on this morning's edition of Kildare Today.

More from Local News

Defence Forces Conduct Readiness Exercise At Whitewater Shopping Centre In Newbridge

Previously, the Army's elite Ranger Wing has conducted training at the same location.
Call For Sanitary Bins In Men’s Toilets To Support Prostate Cancer Survivors

Audio

Each year, around 4000 men in Ireland are diagnosed with the disease, with research from PHS and the Irish Cancer Society finding more than half of men with incontinence feel anxious because of poor toilet facilities.
Own-Brand Foods Often Produced By Same Factories As Big Labels, Says Money Doctor John Lowe

Choosing own-brand products can also save money, with Lowe noting that many supermarket labels are produced by the same manufacturers as well-known brands.
Kfm Strengthens Position As Kildare’s Most Listened-To Station, According To Latest Ipsos/MRBI Report

Kfm CEO Clem Ryan said: “This latest research is a major reflection of the power of local radio, which showcases local issues , and where advertisers reach their target customers in real time."
Quarter Of Uisce Éireann Staff Earned Over €100k Last Year

Audio

Officials from Uisce Eireann are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, outlining the company’s financial statements for 2024.
Meath Bird Flu Case Prompts Warning, But Chicken And Turkey Safe To Eat, Says Agriculture Minister

Audio

After confirmed cases in Carlow and Cork, the Department of Agriculture is imposing a mandatory order for all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors from next Monday.
One-Month Road Closure In Catherinestown To Start Next Week To Facilitate Maynooth Pipeline Works

The road will shut from the junction with the L5050 at Catherinstown to the L1015 at Kellystown from November 10th to December 6th.
Commuter Chaos On M7/N7 Renews Calls For Standby Emergency Response Team During Morning Gridlock

Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure Jack Chambers said he would ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Minister Of Transport to better resource the response to certain incidents.