The relationship between the burnout levels and communication skills of the primary school principals

This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between burnout levels and the communication skills of the primary school principals in central districts in Gaziantep in 2006-2007 educational term. The sample of the study consisted of 20 primary school principals and 850 teachers in Sehitkamil and Sahinbey districts in Gaziantep. The sample of the study was chosen from the 20 primary schools which formed the 10 per cent of the population of 204 schools in two central disticts by random sampling technique. The study was conducted by using Maslach Burnout Inventory and Communication Skills Questionnaire. Burnout scale consists of three sub dimensions: depersonalisation, emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. On the basis of statistical analysis of data, there was statistically significant difference between the primary school principals? own evaluation of their communication skills and the evaluation of teachers. The primary school principals regard their own communication skills in higher level. There is no significant difference between the principals? assessment of their own communication skills and their age, experience in job, school graduated and socioeconomic environment of schools. There is statistically significant difference between teachers? ages, experience in job, the school graduated and socioeconomic environment of schools and their assesment about the communication skills of the primary school principals. The results of the analysis showed that the principals had burnout dimension of emotional exhaustion and lack of personal accomplishment. The level of depersonalisation was nearly in the middle. It was observed that there was relationship between the two subdimensions of burnout, lack of personal accomplishment and depersonalisation, and communication skills of the primary school principals. Key words: Primary School Principal, Communication Skills, Burnout