A new study has found that nearly 70% of primary school teachers in Western Greece are experiencing high or very high le...

A new study has found that nearly 70% of primary school teachers in Western Greece are experiencing high or very high levels of burnout, with excessive workloads, lack of respect, and poor recognition from school administrators identified as the main drivers. The research, published in the International Journal of Educational Innovation, surveyed 131 kindergarten and elementary educators across Achaea, Aetolia-Acarnania, and Elis in late 2023. While average burnout across all participants landed at 2.70 out of 5, which researchers classify as moderate overall, the breakdown tells a different story: 44% of teachers fell into the high burnout category, and another 25% into very high. Exhaustion was the single most pronounced symptom, scoring 3.26 out of 5. Thirty-nine percent of teachers strongly agreed they faced excessive work demands, covering long teaching hours, grading, and lesson preparation. Those who reported heavier workloads consistently scored higher on burnout measures. Disrespect from colleagues and administrators compounded the problem. Teachers who felt their work was not valued showed less commitment to their jobs, and nearly half of participants said they received insufficient support from school management. Limited classroom resources added further pressure. Physical and psychological complaints were also widespread. Stress and sleep problems averaged 3.00 out of 5, while headaches and muscle pain averaged 2.71. Permanent staff and teachers with two or three children reported higher burnout than their peers, though no demographic factor was significantly linked to job engagement. The researchers recommend reducing workloads, improving access to resources, and strengthening recognition for teachers' efforts. They caution that because the survey covered one region at a single point in time, the findings may not apply universally, and called for longer-term research to better understand how burnout develops in Greek schools. #Greece #Education #TeacherBurnout