Managing Stress in Times of Change for Teachers’ Wellbeing and Commitment to Change in Tanzanian Education Sector

Abstract

This review attempts to explain the strategic importance of managing stress in times of change for teachers’ wellbeing and commitment to change in education sector in Tanzania. Building on Lewin’s change management theory, stress management strategies based on ethical leadership values (care, respect, integrity, and justice) were suggested to escalate teachers’ wellbeing, and commitment to changes in secondary schools. The findings revealed that teachers’ stress can be originated from unclear vision of educational managers, fear of the unknown, job insecurity and uncertainties on the job in times of change in secondary schools. Also, the findings suggest that leadership roles of clearly communicating the vision, supporting teachers, being fair, considerate, and respectful during times of change in secondary schools are central to managing stress in times of change. This review calls for empirical test of the relationship between stress management and teachers’ commitment to change initiatives in secondary schools.