Stressful Experiences of Primary School Teachers in One Education District: A South African Case Study

ABSTRACT This study sought to establish ways of dealing with stress as experienced by primary school teachers. Stress is a global phenomenon that affects everyone regardless of gender, resources and environment. Although this phenomenon is well researched, it remains a worrying challenge particularly to schools’ effectiveness. Teachers face many challenges in South African schools such as the ill-discipline of learners and overcrowding of schools. It is vital that schools come up with better intervention programs that can assist teachers to overcome stress. This study involved qualitative approach method and a case study design was used for sampling purposes in which five (5) post level 1 Mathematics teachers from different schools responded to interviews. Data were analysed using categories or themes. The findings of this study revealed that stressful experiences of primary school teachers were overcrowding, infrastructure, lack of parental involvement and lack of reliability in doing homework and extra-co-curriculum activities. It is recommended that the school disciplinary committees should be trained in various disciplinary measures that can be implemented in the school to curb learner ill-discipline and lack of commitment. It is also recommended that a working relationship should be built properly between the school and the Department of Basic Education, motivational speakers and educational counsellors should meet with all learners to motivate them to have high desire for and interest in education and to build their self-confidence in the classroom