STRESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG BASIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AT GARU – TEMPANE DISTRICT IN THE UPPER EAST REGION

ABSTRACT

The study investigated stress management practices among teachers at Garu-Tempane district of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were to find out major causes of stress, coping strategies and measures to manage stress among teachers. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The accessible population was basic schools teachers. Purposive sampling technique was used to select six public schools. The teachers were purposively selected as sample for the study. A sample of 60 teachers was used for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for collecting data. Coronach Alpha was used to analyzed the pilot test and reliability co-efficient of 0.72 was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and the results were presented in tabular form. It was found out from the study that high number of students per teacher, frequent interruption on instructional hours, unattractive salary, lack of motivation and unfavourable working conditions were the major causes of stress among teachers. It was again revealed that good leadership style of head teachers, conducive working environment for teachers, provision of regular supervision, organisation of in- service training programmes for teachers were means by which teachers can cope with stress. It is therefore, recommended that head teachers should use appropriate leadership style to provide conducive working environment for teachers. The government should provide attractive motivation packages to teachers to relive teacher from stress in order to impact positively on pupils achievement.