Ei-iE

Teacher and education support personnel well-being is vital for quality education. Education International (EI) is dedicated to addressing issue, prominently featured at EI’s 10th World Congress taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 29 July to 2 August. The Congress highlighted the importance of educators' well-being and the urgent need for action through various sessions and resolutions.

A key component of EI’s strategy to advance the health and well-being of education personnel worldwide is the Go Public! Fund Education campaign, which seeks increased state funding for public education. Enhancing educator well-being requires a comprehensive approach, including mental health support, professional development, supportive work environments, reduced class sizes, adequate resources, teacher involvement in decision-making, anti-bullying policies, and conflict resolution training. Adequate public funding is essential to implement these initiatives effectively.

New insights on teacher and ESP well-being

EI’s latest research and policy brief stress the urgent need to address teacher and ESP well-being as a critical component of quality education.

The research titled, Teacher well-being: a global understanding, provides an in-depth look at the current state of teacher well-being globally. The study found that teacher well-being is influenced by various factors, including psychological and physical health, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. High levels of stress, burnout, and mental health issues were prevalent among educators, driven by excessive workloads, lack of support, and poor working conditions. These pressures hinder educators' effectiveness and negatively impact students. If they persist, or worsen, the attractiveness of the teaching profession will decline.

The research highlights the necessity of systemic changes to improve teacher well-being, such as better working conditions, enhanced professional development opportunities, and stronger support systems within schools. It emphasises that implementing supportive policies and practices, especially in low-resource, crisis, or conflict-affected areas, can increase retention, make the profession more appealing, and create inclusive learning environments that promote equity.

EI´s policy brief, "Teacher and Education Support Personnel Well-being – Vital for Education," highlights the need for a global perspective, acknowledging varying definitions and challenges across different contexts. Key recommendations include government actions to fund education systems, develop mentorship programs, and ensure competitive salaries. Additionally, it calls for union involvement to advocate for well-being in national policies and partnerships, and stresses the importance of cultural sensitivity in policy development to accommodate cross-cultural differences.

The role of the UN High-Level Panel Recommendations

The United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession has issued this year crucial recommendations to enhance the teaching profession's status, emphasizing teacher well-being. These recommendations advocate for ensuring decent working conditions, advancing mental health initiatives, and supporting overall holistic well-being for educators. Specifically, Recommendation 38 calls on educational jurisdictions to adopt comprehensive teacher well-being policies, integrating these into the conditions of service for teachers. The importance of these recommendations is highlighted in a recent EI’s policy briefing, Activating the recommendations on teacher well-being, which is part of a toolkit designed to help member organisations activate these recommendations effectively. The briefing outlines strategies for improving working conditions, addressing workload and emotional exhaustion, and ensuring teachers' safety from violence and harassment. Following these guidelines can help governments and education authorities create environments where teachers can thrive and deliver quality education.

Advancing teacher well-being

A highlight of the World Congress was the breakout session on July 30, titled “Being well, doing well: Advancing teacher well-being.” Moderated by Mike Thiruman from the Singapore Teacher Union and a UN High-Level Panel member, the session featured presentations from Ben Arnold of Deakin University, who shared preliminary findings from EI’s Global Status of Teachers Survey, and Clotilde Truffaut from MGEN, France, who presented the I-BEST initiative.

Union representatives from Canada, Japan, and Argentina also shared their strategies and actions to promote teacher well-being.

Cassandra Hallet, from CTF-FCE (Canada), stated that key elements of their success included listening to educators to inform research and advocacy, fostering compassionate school communities, collaborating with members and mental health experts, and building cross-industry knowledge to address worker shortages.

Tamaki Terazawa from the Japan Teachers' Union (JTU) highlighted that despite the extensive efforts and hard work of teachers in Japan, their well-being is not ensured. Overburdened with long hours and mental health challenges, teachers continue to prioritise children's well-being above all. The JTU emphasises that improving teachers' well-being is crucial for sustaining quality education.

Adriana Monteverde, from the Confederación Trabajadores de la Educación, (Argentina) explained how, during the pandemic, CTERA played a crucial role in the national teachers' labor negotiations, addressing increased workloads including the "right to disconnect", lack of technology, and connectivity issues. Today, despite new challenges posed by government efforts to cut rights, CTERA remains steadfast in protecting the health, lives, working conditions, and rights of educators, students, and the community.

Resolutions for action

The World Congress will debate several resolutions to advance teacher well-being, including advocating for comprehensive well-being policies, promoting mental health initiatives, and supporting professional development for educators. These resolutions aim to create a global movement to enhance teacher well-being and ensure they receive the support they need.

Teacher well-being is essential for the success of educational systems worldwide. Education International’s commitment to this issue, demonstrated through its research, advocacy, and Congress resolutions, underscores the importance of supporting educators. By implementing comprehensive well-being policies and securing increased public funding, governments can provide the necessary resources for educators to thrive, ensuring they work in supportive and respectful environments while delivering quality education to their students.