Report shows 62 per cent of principals work 51 hours a week
You might think they head home when the school bell rings – but the majority of Ireland’s school principals work on average 51 hours a week.
Not just that, but almost half the country’s principals are also active volunteers in the community.
Details of just how dedicated teachers are emerged in the Health and Well-Being Study, 2014, which examined the working lives of both primary and second level principals and vice-principals.
The details were released this week by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), on the first day of its two day Annual National Conference in Galway.
The study found that principals and deputy principals are working longer hours than the average working week, including hours during school holidays.
The study also highlighted the central role which principals continue to play in their local communities with a substantial percentage of principals involved in volunteering, sporting and community activities outside of their school role.
Key findings of the research include (all refer to secondary school principals and deputy principals):
- 54% of principals are female, with males constituting 46%;
- The average age of a secondary school principal is 50 years of age;
- Principals, on average, have been in their role for six years, with 12 years spent overall in a school leadership role;
- Almost two-thirds (62%) of principals work 51+ hours a week, with 15% working 61+ hours a week and almost half working at least 25 hours a week during school holidays;
- 40% of principals and volunteer outside of their job and 44% are active members of community and sporting organisations outside of work;