A recent study has highlighted considerably higher incidents of bullying and violence suffered by female headteachers in Ireland’s secondary schools compared to their male counterparts. The research, carried out by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and the Irish Primary Principals Network, shed light on the escalating issue of workplace aggression in the education sector, with a particular emphasis on bullying and threatening behavior directed at school heads and vice heads.
Improved understanding of this issue was gained through data from over 600 school leaders in post-primary institutions, gathered between 2022 and 2024. The report distinctly uncovered increased levels of physical and online abuse endured by female leaders in the last three years.
As per the study, the percentage of bullied female principals stood at 38%, with 17% receiving internet-based abuse, 18% facing violent threats and 15% having experienced actual physical violence. Notably, instances of physical abuse for male principals was half at 7% within the corresponding period.
The extensive report, titled ‘Irish Post-Primary School Leaders’ Health and Wellbeing: A Three-Year National Study’, carried out by Dr Mark Rahimi and Dr Ben Arnold of Deakin University further underscored extensive stress and burnout experienced by school leaders. Around 45% of the study participants reported high to severe burnout levels while stress levels superseded those of the larger workforce.
The study noted that these factors led to a rise in mental health problems with several leaders relying on prescription medicines to manage issues such as anxiety, depression, and disturbed sleep patterns.
The report concluded with several recommendations, calling on the Department of Education to provide specialized administrative assistance to lessen school leaders’ load, offer readily accessible mental health resources, and address workplace violence by instituting safe reporting mechanisms and preventive policies.
Further discussion on these matters is scheduled to occur at the NAPD’s yearly conference in Galway, with attention focused on mental health in leadership, reducing administrative workloads and the importance of maintaining sustainable leadership roles in schools. Education Minister Norma Foley is expected to give a speech on Friday.
Regina Butler, the head of NAPD, highlighted the results of a study which reflect the overwhelmed state of school leaders due to heavy workload and evolving complexities within their roles. She stressed that the well-being of our principals and vice principals is deteriorating and immediate action is required to safeguard these key contributors to our education system.
The association is advocating for extended administrative assistance for principals, vice principals and other school leaders. This could be achieved by hiring skilled administrative personnel. Such aids, as claimed by NAPD, are prevalent in other European nations and could allow these figures to concentrate more on school leadership and the welfare and growth of their pupils.
Butler expressed disbelief at the neglect shown by the Education Department regarding the dire need for adequate administrative support, particularly in a period of unparalleled resources at the State’s disposal. She points out that the impact on principals’ physical and psychological well-being is severe and the excess time spent on administrative tasks is detracting from their primary objective of guiding their teaching staff and students.