Author: Nyakeko Francis (Agency for the Development of Educational Management), Winfrida Malingumu, PhD (The Open University of Tanzania) and Coletha C. Ngirwa, PhD (The Open University of Tanzania)
Abstract: This study was about the relationship between Occupational Stress and Job Performance among Secondary School Teachers in Mwanza, Tanzania. The study was guided by the Descriptive Correlational Design. The sample for this study was 86 out of 110 heads of schools, 340 out of 2274 teachers and 34 out of 37 Ward Officers through simple random sampling. The study used a questionnaire as source of data, which was treated through the Pearson Correlations statistical tool. Based on the findings, the study concluded that not all stress is detrimental. As revealed in this study, limited stress may act as a motivator for effective performance, enhancing alertness and productivity for individuals to survive in their working places. The existing stress in schools may call for immediate intervention since excessive stress may lead to burnout which may seriously affect the performance of employees. Therefore, schools under investigation should come up with programs for managing the stress among teachers so that teachers can be stress free and do their work under safe working relationships.