Emotional Problems among Kindergarten Teachers: An Overview from Community Perspective

Masalah Emosi dalam Kalangan Guru Tadika: Satu Tinjauan dari Perspektif Masyarakat

Abstract

Emotional intelligence is an important aspect that should be present in every teacher. Emotions will influence every action of the teacher, and good emotional intelligence guarantees the quality of teacher service. However, many cases related to emotional problems among kindergarten teachers were reported recently. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the community’s perception towards the causes of emotional problems among kindergarten teachers and the community’s recommendations on emotional problems. This quantitative study was conducted by distributing a survey questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed descriptively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Findings showed that personal problems are the leading cause of emotional problems among kindergarten teachers (mean score 3.62). In contrast, the recommendation for teachers to be open and empathetic with the situation or weakness of each child had recorded the highest mean score of 3.79.

Abstrak

Kecerdasan emosi merupakan aspek penting yang perlu ada dalam diri setiap guru. Emosi akan mempengaruhi setiap tindakan guru dan kecerdasan emosi yang baik menjamin kualiti perkhidmatan guru. Namun, kebelakangan ini timbul kes-kes yang berkait dengan masalah  emosi dalam kalangan guru tadika. Justeru kajian ini dilakukan untuk mengenal pasti persepsi masyarakat terhadap punca masalah emosi dalam kalangan guru tadika dan saranan masyarakat mengenai masalah emosi berkenaan. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kuantitatif berbentuk tinjauan menggunakan soal selidik. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif menggunakan program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa masalah peribadi merupakan punca utama masalah emosi dalam kalangan guru tadika (skor min 3.62) manakala saranan agar guru perlu bersikap terbuka dan empati dengan situasi atau kelemahan setiap kanak-kanak mencatatkan skor min tertinggi iaitu sebanyak 3.79.  

Kata kunci: Kecerdasan emosi, masalah emosi, persepsi, saranan, guru tadika