Assessment of occupational stress of teaching professionals during Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic showed worldwide impact on education sector. The schools were closed all across the countries and the mode of teaching was online which impacted on teaching and learning process. It also affected the physical, socio-emotional and mental health of the teachers due to work related stress during the pandemic. A study was conducted to determine the problems responsible for occupational stress of the teachers working in different government and private schools of Odisha. The information collected through filling of online questionnaire. The data revealed that the timing of online class was not suitable for 77.78 per cent teachers as they were performing duties from home and simultaneously taking care of their children. While dealing with students in online platform, 88.89 percent teachers faced difficulties. About 63.33 per cent of the respondents complained about pain in neck and shoulders. Maximum participants (90%) reported feeling vulnerable because of physical and mental health stress along with family burden and unknown fear factor of consequences of corona disease. Impact of fear of Covid 19 on physical and psychological health got the highest mean rank which was reported by 90 per cent of the respondents. The effect of very hectic schedule of job created stress as expressed by 86.67 per cent respondents considered in mean rank II. These may be due to the digital teaching and working environment, work load, lifestyle changes etc. including family tensions and financial insecurities. These may develop a number of problems such as anxiety, depression or stress and responsible for occupational stress among teachers during Covid 19 pandemic.