A Comparative Study to Determine the Occupational Stress Level and Professional Burnout in Special School Teachers Working in Private and Government Schools

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Healthy work environment is required to provide high quality teaching. Few studies regarding occupational stress and burnout in Indian schools have been conducted. The study aims to determine and compare the occupational stress level and professional burnout in teachers working in private and government schools. 120 private school teachers and 120 government school teachers recruited for this study.

METHODS: Chi square test, Student independent t test and ANOVA used for data analysis have been used.

RESULTS: Stress level and burnout level are varies significantly between male and female Indian school. (Chi square value 26.27 and p Value 0.001 in male and chi square value 38.06 and p value 0.001 in female). Government schools (Least Likely 5±0.0, More Likely 10.82±1.99, Most Prone Stress 16.15 ±1.84 have significant difference among them) have higher stress level than Private schools (Least Likely 4.00±1.41, More Likely 9.86±2.29, Most Prone Stress 15.66±1.34 have significant difference among them). Governmental schools having more stress (14.33±3.24) compare to Private schools (13.34±3.51), (t=2.26, p =0.023). Similarly the burnout also having the more in government schools (59.43±11.78) compare to private schools (48.61±11.94), (t=7.07, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The government teachers have more occupational stress compared to the private school teachers in India. Leaders and decision makers required to make early identification and counseling about different factors that influence stress level in private and Government school teachers.