Authors

• Konu, Anne (University of Tampere. Tampere School of Public Health)

Keywords

educational facilities, health, job satisfaction, parent participation, school classes, schools, schoolteachers, social networks, teacher conditions of employment, teacher-student relationship, working conditions, workloads, workplace relations

Abstract

The survey focused on the well-being of staff in primary and secondary schools and upper secondary institutions in Finland. Staff opinions on school facilities, working conditions, social relationships, and means for self-fulfilment in school were studied, as well as their perceived health status. The survey contained both statements and multiple choice questions. The respondents indicated to what extent they agreed with the statements using a five-point scale (i.e. from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree").

School facilities were studied with a number of questions about the classroom (e.g. size, temperature, ventilation, desks), toilet facilities, the dining room, the schoolyard and the school building (e.g. safety, functionality). Access to and trust in the school nurse and counselling supervision were charted as well as opinions on the school timetable, school rules and punishments, order in the classroom, and the workload. The statements relating to social relationships canvassed relations between staff members and between staff members and students. The survey also covered opinions on whether parents were participating in solving problems concerning their children or in developing the school, and whether parents appreciated the work done by the staff or were willing to discuss issues with teachers if needed. Views were probed on whether the staff were treated equally, and whether it was easy to get along with the headmaster or get help from him/her if needed. In addition, the respondents were asked whether they had been bullied or harassed at work during the ongoing term and whether they themselves had bullied or harassed someone else.

The survey also studied whether staff opinions were taken into account in developing the school and in drawing up school rules, and whether the school encouraged staff to express their views. The respondents were asked whether they appreciated their work, felt they could concentrate on their work and cope with their tasks, knew their strengths and weaknesses, had found a suitable method to do the work, whether the pace at work was suitable for them, and whether they found their work interesting. Regarding health, the respondents were asked about their perceived general health and whether they had had various symptoms (e.g. stomach ache, sleeping problems, headache, fear, anxiety) during the ongoing term.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, working hours (part-time or full time), number of years working in the school, and type of contract.