An Investigation of selected Factors Related to Burnout among Primary School Teachers:A Case Study of Nakuru Municipality

Abstract

Teachers in society have been faced by circumstances that force them to perform their duties below expectations. They have been the subject of criticism that has failed to take into consideration situations beyond the teacher. Blame for the shortcomings of the education system has therefore rested squarely on teachers. Reforms in the education sector have continuously put pressure on teachers as the main implementers of change in the curriculum and the free primary education programme. Stress, teaching overload and bumout are consequences of working under difiicult conditions that include excessive pressure with minimal regard to the teachers coping threshhold. The purpose of the research was to investigate on some selected factors related to bumout among primary school teachers in Nakum Municipality. Focus was based on teacher personal characteristics, working environment and the aspect of social support. Ex-post facto research design was employed with the target population being primary school teachers. The population for the study consisted of 1198 teachers. A sample of 140 teachers was chosen at random for the study. A bumout inventory was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results obtained indicated that no significant relationship existed between burnout and some selected factors namely some of the teacher characteristics and their working environment. However, age, motivation and social support showed a significant correlation to bumout among teachers. It was concluded that burnout levels in Nakuru municipality was at a moderate level though some isolated cases with high levels were observed. It was recommended that a proactive approach was required to counter stress related symptoms and keep them within the coping threshold of the teacher rather than allowing their buildup over time resulting in burnout. This would help in keeping the costs of working in the teaching service in temis of stress related problems at a lo\v level, contributing in the long run to a more effective and productive educator.