Stressors in the professional lives of South African secondary school educators

Abstract

We identify current stressors in the professional lives of South African secondary
\nschool educators. The study was exploratory, using a questionnaire, which
\nlisted 19 possible causes of stress and was completed by 987 educators from
\nall racial groups and provinces in the country. South African educators in
\ngeneral currently experience the following as stressors: uninvolved parents, poor
\nlearner discipline, lack of learner motivation, learners’ negative attitudes towards
\nthemselves, numerous changes inside and outside the school, and lack
\nof self-esteem. Male and female educators differed significantly in their perceptions
\nof some stressors. Educators with six to 15 years of experience and
\nwho were between 36 and 45 years old differed significantly from others on
\nsome issues.