Work-life balance of female teachers in senior high schools (S.H.S.) in the Kumasi metropolis

Abstract

The study was to evaluate work-life balance of SHS female teachers. The purpose of the study was to investigate how SHS female teachers in the Kumasi metropolis manage their work-life balance in terms of attaining career progression. The design that was employed for the study was the descriptive survey design. The instrument used for the study was a survey questionnaire. These structured, closed-ended questionnaires were therefore administered to SHS female teachers in selected schools in the Kumasi metropolis. A total of one hundred and ninety five (195) questionnaires were received out of two hundred (200) distributed. Purposive sampling was first used to select eight (8) schools after which simple random sampling was employed to select the needed sample from each school. The statistical tool utilized for the study was mean. The studies revealed that SHS female teachers were somehow satisfied with their working hours at school. It also showed that school management provides flexible working timing for female teachers. The study again disclosed that SHS female teachers have sources of support of work-life balance. It further uncovered that despite these sources of support and flexible working timing for SHS female teachers, the work-related duties at school and excessive household work compel SHS female teachers to make changes in their plans and family activities which, in effect, affect their career progression. A major policy recommendation is that for SHS female teachers to be able to progress in their career path, the Government of Ghana should come out with some policies that will reduce the number of periods taught by SHS female teachers.