An average of 23 secondary school principals die every year due to stress-related complications, the Kenya Schools Head Teachers Association said on Wednesday.
Kessha national chair John Awiti said in the last six years the number of principals who have died due to stress has been increasing.
“This year alone, we have already lost 14,” the chair said.
According to Awiti, the nature of their job is so demanding and put so much pressure on the principals.
He said the reforms in the Education Ministry, Teachers Service Commission, expectations from the society, and the changing environment of the learners bring so much stress to the school heads.
“All these put together put stress on the principals because he is the custodian and answerable to all stakeholders of the school,” said Awiti.
According to health experts, increased stress can bring about heart diseases, asthma, obesity, diabetes, headache, depression,
gastrointestinal problems, accelerated aging, and premature death.
Awiti said: “So we have come to establish that some of our members are not aware of how to handle themselves and end up in complications.”
He said they are advising principals to spare some time to meet with colleagues so as to share some of the challenges in their institutions.
“We are asking them to come out in forums and share their problems with others,” said Awiti.
He said they should also take some days off duty to relax their minds.