CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: Work pressure, financial problems, depression and loneliness the cause

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: Work pressure, financial problems, depression and loneliness the cause

 

Participants at the round-table discussion on the Malaysia Education Development Blueprint at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, yesterday. Pic by Syaharim Abidin

SINTOK: A TOTAL of 237 primary and secondary teachers in the state have, over the last 10 months, sought psychiatric treatment because of  stress from work and personal problems.

State Education Department deputy director Roslee Ismail said the number was lower than last year when 300 teachers sought similar treatment over the same period.

He said although the number was small when compared with the 36,000 teachers in the state, the department viewed the matter seriously.

He said the teachers were stressed out not only because of work pressure but also because of financial problems, depression and loneliness.

"The department's Psychology and Counselling sector is monitoring the progress of these teachers," he said after a round-table discussion on the Malaysia Education Development Blueprint 2012-2025 at Universiti Utara Malaysia here yesterday.

Roslee said the department would also help and mentor these teachers in their daily work.

On another matter, he said the department aimed to place Kedah among the top five states with the best examination results.

Kedah was ranked 13th in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah examination last year. The state was also ranked 11th in the 2011 Penilaian Menengah Rendah and 2011 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination results.

Source : New Straits Time 4 November,2012