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JTA commissions study to examine link between teachers' stress levels and their overall health

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Leighton Johnson
By Kimone Witter    
 
Concerned about the deaths of several relatively young educators over the last few years, the Jamaica Teachers' Association is commissioning a study to examine the correlation between the stress levels of teachers and their mental and physical well-being.
 
JTA President Leighton Johnson said since taking office in August last year, he has interacted with the families of 28 teachers who had either fallen ill or died suddenly.
 
Mr. Johnson said due to the high intensity of the job and the deaths, in seemingly quick succession, he thought it prudent to conduct a study as a legacy project.
 
"This is why we want to commission this study to move from anecdotes to have that empirical data to present to the nation, to make recommendations to the Ministry of Education, to our teachers, to school administrators, you know, to give teachers a strategy how to deal with these situations," he noted. 
 
The research will be undertaken by former educator and Jamaican author Dr. Sherika Simone.
 
Mr. Johnson said the study should get underway in August. 
 
The JTA president said teachers have been encouraged to prioritise their health. 
 
"We have been encouraging them by and large to know your numbers. There are those individuals who indicate that, you know, 'I have this niggling pain. It is not debilitating. It is just there. And, you know, I just left it alone.' We're saying to them, stop, get checked, understand what is happening. And from that perspective, then you can take corrective measures in many regards," he urged. 
 
Mr. Johnson speaking Tuesday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica.
 


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