Effect of Teaching and Administrative Workload on Primary School Teachers’ Job Satisfaction and Work Performance

Authors

  • Saima PhD Scholar, Department of Education, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Shafqat Hussain Professor, Department of Education, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Qaisar Abbas Assistant Professor, Department of Education, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62843/jssr.v6i4.761

Keywords:

Teaching Workload, Administrative Workload, Job Satisfaction, Work Performance

Abstract

Primary school teachers play an important role in establishing the academic foundations and developing the critical, social, and personal growth of early learners. This study examined the effect of teaching and administrative workload on primary school teachers’ job satisfaction and work performance utilizing a correctional research design. All primary school teachers in public primary schools of Faisalabad Division constituted the population of the study. For data collection, a sample of 1,000 primary school teachers was selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected through using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Four types of Likert scales, frequency, level of satisfaction, level of performance, and level of effectiveness, were used. The validity of the instrument was ensured through experts’ opinions, and its reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha (α = .86) following a pilot study. The data were collected through an online method (Google Form) and by personally visiting the public primary schools by the researcher. Data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between teaching workload and job satisfaction (r= -.262, p< .001) and work performance (-.201, p<.001), while administrative workload showed a statistically significant but weak positive relationship with job satisfaction (r=.1130, p<.001) and work performance (r= 120, p<.001). The study concludes that heavy teaching increased teachers’ job dissatisfaction and emotional exhaustion and reduced their work performance whereas administrative workloads, though burdensome, was mildly associated with higher satisfaction and performance.

Author Biography

  • Saima, PhD Scholar, Department of Education, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

    Corresponding Author: s.allahditta786@gmail.com

References

Abdullah, T., Khan, M. I., Shah, S. M. U., & Ullah, S. (2023). Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting job satisfaction: A comparative study of public and private teachers. Journal of Education and Social Studies, 4(2), 348–358. https://doi.org/10.52223/jess.2023.4211

Bajwa, W. A. (2026). Every child’s right to primary education: Examining the progress from MDG-2 to SDG-4 in Pakistan. Journal of Pakistan Administration, 47(1), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.65755/jpa-20264701-135.

Boeskens, L., & Nusche, D. (2021). Not enough hours in the day: Policies that shape teachers' use of time. OECD Education Working Papers, (245), 0_1-94.

Cimanes, G. O., (2025). Workload, Job Satisfaction and Performance of Teachers: Basis or Formulating Professional Development Initiatives. International Journal of Science Academic Research, 6(2), 9265-9273. https://www.scienceijsar.com/article/workload-job-satisfaction-and-performance-teachers-basis-formulating-professional.

Department of Education. (2025). Teacher workload policy toolkit (Version 1). Department of Education. https://www.scribd.com/document/883671405/Teacher-Workload-Policy-Toolkit-v1-2025-25Jun25-Rel

Dorji, S., & Wangchuck, S. (2022). Teachers' workload and its efficacy in classroom teaching in primary schools under Punakha. Acta Scientific Paediatrics, 5(4), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.31080/ASPE.2022.05.0510.

Elias, E. (2024). Self-Confidence of Online Instructors’ Perceptions of Teaching Effectiveness After Training: A Correlational-Predictive Study (Doctoral dissertation, Grand Canyon University).

Gonzales, A.A., (2024). Work-related stress and teaching performance of public elementary school teachers of San Francisco cluster IV. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 11(5), 43-94. https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2024.1105003

Heffernan, A., & Pierpoint, A. (2022). Attracting and retaining Australia’s principals. Australian Secondary Principals’ Association. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/262067/

Hulme, M., Beauchamp, G., Wood, J., & Bignell, C. (2024). Teacher workload research report 2024. University of the West of Scotland. http://doi.org/10.13140/rg.2.2.28489.76642

Jomuad, P.D., Leah, Antiquina, M.M., Cericos, E.U., Bacus, J.A., Vallejo, J.H., Dionio, B.B., Bazar, J.S., Cocolan, J.V., & Clarin, A.S. (2021). Teachers’ workload in relation to burnout and work performance. International Journal of Educational Policy Research and Review,8(2), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.21.007

Laguisma, G. (2026). Administrative Support, Job Satisfaction, and Teacher Performance: A Predictive Model among Senior High School Teachers. Asian Research Journal of Education, 3(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.66206/eduheart.2026.319

Lamanauskas, V., & Malinauskiene, D. (2024). Education for sustainable development in primary school: Understanding, importance, and implementation. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 12(3), 356-373. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/14685

Larsen, E., Brandenburg, R., & Papatraianou, L. (2025). Former teachers’ perceptions of post-teaching career job satisfaction: lessons for the profession. Educational Review, 77(4), 1236-1254. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2025.2449931.

Martin, C. (2025). 2025 Greenest University Award. Harvard Gazzette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/2025-greenest-university-award/

Nyamugoro, C., Odiemo, L., & Wango, G. (2023). The relationship between workload and job satisfaction with the supervisors among high school teachers. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 24(1), 17-28.

OECD (2020). TALIS 2018 results (Volume II): Teachers and school leaders as valued professionals, TALIS, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/talis-2018-results-volume-ii_19cf08df-en.html

Okechukwu, E. (2025). Teachers rights and responsibilities and societal expectations. Unizik Journal of Educational Laws and Leadership Studies, 1(1), 213-224. https://unilaws.org/unilaws/article/view/27/27.

Onsongo, O. S. (2025). Work Environment and Teachers’ job Satisfaction in Public Primary Schools in Narok Central Division, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation). http://41.89.101.166:8080/handle/123456789/18771.

Shen, Z., Lan, R., Su, X., Lian, R., & Zhang, Y. (2025). The relationship between extra-administrative workload, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement of primary and secondary school teachers: Based on multilevel linear model analysis. Behavioral Sciences, 15(10), 1405. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15101405

Stacey, M., Gavin, M., Fitzgerald, S., McGrath-Champ, S., & Wilson, R. (2024). Reducing teachers’ workload or deskilling ‘core’ work? analysis of a policy response to teacher workload demands. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 45(2), 187-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2023.2271856

Syed, S. M., & Siddiqui, N. (2025). Articulation of 21st century skills: Evidence of pedagogical skills of teacher-educators regarding collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. The Knowledge, 4(4), 200-215. https://doi.org/10.55737/tk/2k25d.44120.

UNESCO & International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030. (2024). Global report on teachers: Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-report-teachers-addressing-teacher-shortages-and-transforming-profession

United Nations. (2023, October 4). Addressing the Teacher Shortage—a Global Imperative. https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/addressing-teacher-shortage%E2%80%94-global-imperative.

Wang, H., Sun, Y., Wang, W., & Liang, H. (2025). Exploring the relationship between teachers’ perceived workload, challenge-hindrance stress, and work engagement: A person-centered approach. BMC psychology, 13(1), 201. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02537-y

Yongtao, G. (2025). Impact of workload on the performance of junior high school teachers under china’s “double reduction” policy. SAGE Open, 15(3), 21582440251345577. https://doi.org/10.1177/215824402513455.

Zang, N., Cao, H., Zhou, N., Jiang, L., & Li, B. (2022). Job load, job stress, and job exhaustion among Chinese junior middle school teachers: Job satisfaction as a mediator and teacher’s role as a moderator. Social Psychology of Education, 25(5), 1003-1030. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-022-09719-1.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-30

How to Cite

Effect of Teaching and Administrative Workload on Primary School Teachers’ Job Satisfaction and Work Performance. (2026). Journal of Social Sciences Review, 6(4), 78-87. https://doi.org/10.62843/jssr.v6i4.761