The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of self-efficacy enhancement in building pre-service teacher resilience to prevent symptoms of burn-out in Swaziland; how engaging in reflective practices can act as a protective factor. Not much research focuses on pre-service teacher burn-out and how to mitigate its effects, and this creates a gap that this study sought to address. Through the interpretivist perspective, and employing participatory action research (PAR) and some elements of pre-test, post test design, seven pre-service teachers who were doing their final year of a three year teacher’s diploma programme; four males and three females were engaged in the study. Data were collected by using the resilience scale questionnaire, participants’ reflective journals, researcher’s diary and transcribed recordings from a focus group interview. Three themes emerged; (1) that pre-service teachers in Swaziland do experience symptoms of burn-out during teaching practice. Seven risk factors that contribute to the experience of burn-out were cited by participants; learners’ behavioural issues, heavy workloads, demanding supervisors, lack of support from colleagues, teaching learners who are high achievers, feelings of inadequacy and lack of prioritising. (2) Pre-service teachers were able to draw strength and possibly avert burn-out by mobilising external and internal protective sources. (3) Reflective practices proved to be a viable intervention that enhanced pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy and helped promote resilient coping. Future research might look into other factors that predispose pre-service teachers to stress and how reflective practices may be infused in the curriculum for pre-service education. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Humanities Education / MEd / Unrestricted

The Risk of Burnout in Primary School Teachers This diploma thesis deals with the risk of burnout syndrome in primary school teachers. The theoretical part of the diploma thesis provides an overview of the theoretical concept of burnout in teachers and the effects of burnout on their job performance and their personal life. The empirical part of the thesis introduces a qualitative research of the risk of burnout in primary school teachers who study the combined form of the 5- year Master's study programme at the Faculty of Education of Charles University, while working full-time. I interviewed several teachers who have been at the greatest risk of burnout, based on a questionnaire survey, about the factors that affect their mental health, about their perceived form of support and about their coping skills. Up to two-thirds of teachers experience exhaustion during their studies. Chronic stress, which is at the highest level during last years of the 5-year study programme, negatively affects their well-being, their family life and their physical and mental health. Key protective factors are problem-focused coping skills and work-life balance. The supportive attitude of the primary school management, as well as the attitude of the Faculty of Education towards studying teachers, can be also of...