Ei-iE

Health and well-being hub Education International’s resource center

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Categories of staff: School leaders
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Assessment of the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on teachers, teacher educators and learners and psychosocial support needs in selected Sub-Saharan African countries

Research

The 2023 UNESCO IICBA study assesses the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on teachers, teacher educators, and learners across selected sub-Saharan African countries. It highlights the growing recognition of mental health and well-being in education, emphasizing the interconnectedness between education, health, and psychosocial support. The study identifies key challenges faced by educators, ranks the severity of COVID-19’s negative effects, and explores innovative strategies adopted by governments. It also provides recommendations for building resilience, improving infection control, and enhancing psychosocial support systems, aiming to inform policy and advocacy efforts across Africa.

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Publisher
UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication
2023
Region
Africa
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Mental health: A great investment for teachers in Africa?

Webinar and conference recordings

This webinar explores systemic approaches and promising practices that strengthen mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions for teachers in Africa, with the goal of improving learning outcomes. It presents key issues that teachers currently face which may impact their mental health and wellbeing, showcases evidence-based MHPSS interventions for educators, and identifies strategies for creating linkages with various stakeholders to support teachers. By highlighting the critical connection between teacher wellbeing and educational quality, the webinar promotes collaborative and informed responses across the education and mental health sectors.

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Publisher
UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication
2023
Region
Africa
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Video

Teachers in crisis and emergency contexts: Challenges and promising practices in Africa

Webinar and conference recordings

The overall goal of the webinar is to create an opportunity for education authorities, partners in education, school leaders, teachers, and teacher educators to explore and deliberate on the various strategies that can strengthen education sector interventions for teachers in crisis and emergency contexts through the sharing of best practices that have been implemented by the various partners in Africa. More specifically, the webinar will provide a platform to: (i) Deliberate on the persistent challenges and promising practices for teachers in crisis contexts and refugee settlements in the Horn of Africa; (ii) Share how best countries in Africa can improve and manage the well-being of Teachers in crisis and refugee settlements in Africa; (iii) Discuss strategies for promoting teachers' well-being, management, and school leadership in crisis settings; and (iv) Share innovations, resources, and best practices that have worked around teachers' management, motivations, and data systems and their linkages with the national overall programming of teachers.

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Publisher
UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication
2023
Region
Africa
Topics
Leadership Resources and conditions Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers School leaders
Resource type
Video

West Africa – Investing in Teachers and School Leaders: Professional Standards, Working Conditions, and Teacher Education

Research

This document outlines a study conducted by UNESCO IICBA on the state of teacher professionalism in West Africa, focusing on professional standards, teacher education, and working conditions. It emphasizes the urgent need for countries to adopt and implement professional standards and competencies for teachers and school leaders. It highlights how inadequate professional support, poor working conditions, and lack of career development opportunities negatively impact teacher motivation, job satisfaction, and retention. Detailed case studies for Sierra Leone and The Gambia illustrate country-specific progress and challenges. The study highlights that while some countries like Sierra Leone and Nigeria have aligned with international frameworks, most are still in early stages, lacking formal regulations, national standards, and professional teaching councils. Teacher education remains weak, with many teachers insufficiently qualified, and continuous professional development is underutilized.

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Publisher
UNESCO IICBA
Country
Gambia Sierra Leone
Year of publication
2023
Region
Africa
Topics
Salaries and remuneration Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

The fundamental conventions on occupational safety and health

Guides

This guide describes the requirements set out in the fundamental OSH Conventions, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, 2006 (No. 187), recognizing the complementarity of these two instruments to ensure good OSH governance at national level and sound OSH management at workplace level. To provide further guidance about the implementation of Conventions Nos 155 and 187, the publication also includes key provisions from the accompanying Recommendations 164 and 197.

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Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Year of publication
2023
Topics
Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in
English Spanish, Castilian French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Self-care assessment

Guides

The self‑care assessment tool helps individuals reflect on and measure their self‑care habits across five key areas, physical, psychological/emotional, social, spiritual, and professional. Drawing from established practices by TherapistAid.com, it prompts users to rate how well they engage in everyday self‑care activities (like getting enough sleep, expressing emotions, nurturing relationships, reflecting on values, and maintaining work–life balance) on a simple 1–3 scale. The goal is to highlight patterns and pinpoint areas needing attention, while emphasizing that there's no “right” or “wrong” way to self‑care.

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Publisher
American Federation of Teachers
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2023
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Mental health Social emotional skills
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Teacher workload: Executive summary of the INTO research report

Research

This executive summary of the research report provides an overview of the findings from a study on teacher workload in Ireland. It highlights the increasing demands on teachers and principals, including administrative tasks, curriculum overload, and special education needs. The report emphasizes the need for additional support, such as administrative assistance, reduced class sizes, and dedicated time for planning and collaboration. .

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Publisher
Irish National Teachers' Organisation
Country
Ireland
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Menstruation and menopause: Workplace policy reform for a modern labour force - A trade union led initiative

Policy briefs and Policies

This guidance is aimed at employers, government policymakers, and trade unions, particularly union representatives and negotiators. Its objective is to provide evidence and a clear framework for reforming workplace policies so that menstruation and menopause are recognised and supported, stigma is reduced, and workers’ wellbeing and equality are promoted within a modern labour force.

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Publisher
Irish National Teachers' Organisation Fórsa Trade Union Financial Services Union (FSU) Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) Irish Nurses Midwives Organisation (INMO) Services, Industrial, Professional, and Technical Union (SIPTU) UNITE the union Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
Country
Ireland
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Menopause in the workplace policy framework for civil service organisations

Guides

The "Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework" provides comprehensive guidelines for civil service organizations to support employees experiencing menopause. It emphasizes creating an inclusive and supportive work environment, detailing key principles such as health, safety, welfare, and equality. The framework includes guidance on policy development, workplace adjustments, roles and responsibilities

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Publisher
Irish National Teachers' Organisation Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery
Country
Ireland
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Teacher wellbeing index - 2023

Research

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023 sheds light on the mounting mental health crisis within the UK education sector. Drawing on responses from over 3,000 education professionals, the report reveals widespread experiences of stress, burnout, and sleep disturbances, particularly among school leaders. Feelings of loneliness are alarmingly high, with education staff reporting twice the level of workplace loneliness compared to the general population. Confidence in the current inspection framework is critically low, with the majority viewing it as detrimental to mental health and lacking in credibility.

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Publisher
Education Support
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education
Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type
Downloadable file

International barometer of education staff (I-BEST 2023)

Research

An analysis of the working conditions, health, and well-being of education personnel across various countries. Conducted biennially since 2021, the survey includes data from over 26,000 participants, covering aspects such as sociodemographic profiles, working hours, school environment, relationships at work, violence and security, physical environment, work-life balance, health indicators, and the use of digital tools.

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Publisher
Education and Solidarity Network (ESN) Foundation for Public Health
Country
Switzerland Spain Morocco Japan France Canada Cameroon Belgium United Kingdom Argentina
Year of publication
2023
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education
Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Specific communities
Early-stage career Women
Resource type
Downloadable file

Coping with death by suicide

Guides

The AFT guide offersd strategies for individuals dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide. It addresses the complex emotions that may arise, such as grief, guilt, and anger, and emphasizes the importance of self-care and seeking support from existing networks and professionals. The guide also provides specific advice for talking to children and teens about suicide, ensuring open and honest communication while respecting their individual grieving processes.

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Publisher
American Federation of Teachers
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2022
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Restoring teacher and principal well-being is an essential step for rebuilding schools

Research

The RAND Corporation's report presents findings from the 2022 State of the American Teacher and Principal surveys, highlighting the significant challenges faced by educators. The report reveals that the well-being of teachers and principals has been severely impacted, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This deterioration in well-being has led to increased intentions among educators to leave their jobs. The report underscores the necessity for comprehensive strategies to improve working conditions and provide robust support systems for educators, with a particular focus on supporting educators of color. These measures are essential for enhancing retention rates and facilitating the overall recovery and rebuilding of schools. The report calls for systemic changes rather than superficial solutions to address the root causes of educator stress and dissatisfaction.

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Publisher
RAND Corporation
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2022
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers School leaders
Specific communities
Ethnic minorities
Resource type
Downloadable file

Make educator well-being a priority now

Opinion/commentary

The article highlights the urgent need to address the well-being of teachers and principals, who experience job-related stress at twice the rate of other working adults. The RAND Corporation survey reveals that poor well-being and adverse working conditions are driving many educators to consider leaving their jobs. The article calls for comprehensive, system-wide strategies to improve educator well-being, rather than superficial wellness programs, to retain and support educators effectively.

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Association (NEA)
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2022
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Mental health Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type
Web page

Teacher wellbeing index - 2022

Research

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2022 highlights a worsening mental health crisis in the UK education sector, with high levels of stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion reported across the workforce, particularly among school leaders. Many education professionals feel unable to take time off when unwell and regularly experience symptoms such as insomnia, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. The report shows that poor work-life balance, excessive workload, and feeling undervalued are major reasons staff are considering leaving the profession. Despite these challenges, it also emphasizes the critical role of supportive leadership, a positive workplace culture, and access to mental health resources in improving staff wellbeing and retention.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Education Support
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2022
Region
Europe
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education
Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type
Downloadable file