Close to two-thirds of post-primary principals feel stressed or burnt out because of administrative overload, the National Association of Principals and Deputies has revealed. 

The organisation’s annual Health and Wellbeing Survey also found 73% of principals believe they spend too much time on paperwork. 

In addition to their duties overseeing children’s education, principals are responsible for their school’s finances, procurement, HR and health and safety.

“While these administrative tasks are crucial for the running of and the financial stability of schools, they too often take priority over what is actually important - which is engaging with and offering support to our students, their parents and the whole school community,” NAPD President Shane Foley said. 

“It also concerns me greatly to hear of the effect this administrative overload is having on colleagues personally in that so many are reporting signs of stress or burnout.

“This simply cannot continue.”

The NAPD is meeting in Galway this week for its annual conference and will urge Education Minister Norma Foley to fund an administrative officer for each secondary school.

Main image: Woman in a classroom. Picture by: Alamy.com