According to a new survey, two out of three second-degree directors and deputy directors experience stress burnout.
t 64pc, the figure is well above the 34pc found in overall healthy work
population.
As many as two in five (39 percent) were diagnosed with stress-related medical conditions by 2022.
And two in five (40 percent) reported needing prescription drugs by 2022 — more than double the 18 percent in a 2015 survey.
The reported sharp decline in well-being comes after three school years that were hit hard by the Covid pandemic, as school principals also struggle with teacher shortages.
School leaders also complain about the increasing administrative burden they have to bear. Nearly one in three, 30 percent, take up most of their time
The findings emerged in a survey for the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and the Irish Primary Principals
Network.
The results quoted refer only to post-primary directors.
The study was conducted between February and April this year, the first part of a three-year longitudinal study led by Professor Philip Riley of Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
NAPD Director Paul Crone said, “Most worrisome is the high level of school leaders seeking medical attention because of the stress their role is causing them.”
According to Mr Crone, directors cited the sheer amount of work they did, the lack of time spent teaching and learning, and the teacher shortage as the main sources of stress in the workplace.
“School leaders have suffered for years from an overbearing level of school governance,” he said.
“The level of stress and burnout in the profession should come as no surprise to those working in education.
“Stress levels were particularly acute in light of the many challenges posed by the pandemic.”
The Melbourne research team compared their findings with figures on the healthy workforce and found disproportionate stress among executives and deputy directors.
Half of those surveyed reported sleeping problems, compared with 21 percent of the healthy workforce. For those who reported depressive symptoms, the figure was 33 pc. compared to 21 pc.
The survey shows that school leaders work an average of 53 hours per week throughout the year.
The NAPD is calling on the Department of Education and the Secretary of Education to “take these findings to heart so that together we can find a way to alleviate this immense stress and workload.”
“Recruiting and retaining school leaders remains a major challenge in the post-primary sector and this research is further evidence of why schools struggle to attract and retain high-level school leaders,” said Mr Crone.
“We hope that the Minister and her department will continue to work with us so that together we can find adequate policy responses and ensure that school communities do not collapse due to a lack of candidates.
“Education in Ireland is among the best internationally and school leaders play a vital role in the integrity of that system.”