Coping with borders of primary public-school teachers of a district

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Work and family are very essential to humans. But most of the time, work and family responsibilities overlap, compromising each other. This study was undertaken to describe how the primary teachers of a public-school cope with overlapping of the work and family life borders.

METHODS

Using the descriptive method of research, the researcher processed the data gathered from the responses of thirty-eight (38) teachers from Magallanes district. The main data gathering instrument was a self-made questionnaire. Statistical tests used include percentage, weighted mean, and Pearson’s r coefficient.

RESULTS

In terms of the personal profile of the respondents, majority of them are female, married, are in their late 30s and are living alone with their family. In terms of their personal profile and work profile, majority of the respondents hold teacher 2 appointments, have been teaching for more than 7 years and majority of them traveled for not less than an hour. In terms of coping mechanism of border profile, majority of the respondents had little support from the school head and their colleagues. In terms of interference with personal life, minority of the respondents are stressed. In terms of personal life and its interference with work, the respondents’ works were mostly affected by the family. In terms of satisfaction with work-life balance, majority of the respondents were moderately satisfied.

DISCUSSIONS

The study conclude that respondents had little support with regards with work. Work was also affected by family and vice versa. On the other hand, the respondents had work-life imbalance. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that: 1) the school head must help and support the teachers; 2) teachers should finish their work in school and do not bring it at home; 3) there must be a continuous seminar in stress reduction and time management; 4) teachers should know how to balance work from personal life and 5) future studies on the same nature can be done to further re-assess the coping mechanism of the public school teachers.