Ei-iE

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

Caring for educators, caring for our communities

Welcome to the Education International hub dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of teachers and education support personnel (ESP) around the world. Developed in partnership with MGEN, this hub reflects our collective commitment to place education workers’ health and well-being at the centre of the global education agenda, as outlined in our 10th World Congress resolution “ Teacher and ESP well-being and mental health: vital for quality education”.

Whether you are looking for good practices, strategies, or inspiration, this hub is designed to empower unions and education communities to foster healthier, more supportive environments for teachers and education support personnel worldwide.

Share your knowledge

This hub is intended as a tool for sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources. EI member organisations are invited to contribute by sharing the resources they have developed on the health and well-being of education personnel.

You can submit your resources by filling in the form accessible through the link below:

Submit your resource

Featured topics

  1. Mental health
  2. Pandemics and epidemics
  3. Physical health
  4. Safety
  5. Violence and harassment
  6. Women’s psychological and physical health
  7. Working conditions
  8. Workload

Showing All 99 Resources

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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.

Download resource in English
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

Larger classes and more students with special needs: Effects of class characteristics on workload, job satisfaction, and absenteeism

Research

"Grotere klassen en meer zorgleerlingen: Invloeden van klassenkenmerken op werkdruk, tevredenheid en verzuim": The report investigates the impact of larger class sizes and the presence of more students requiring special care on teachers' workload, satisfaction, and absenteeism in primary and secondary education in the Netherlands. Based on a survey of over 7,000 teachers, the findings reveal that larger classes and a higher proportion of students with specific are needs correlate with increased work pressure, lower job satisfaction, and higher absenteeism rates. Teachers expect that reducing class size or providing more support for diverse needs could help alleviate the pressure and workload.

Download resource in Dutch
Publisher
Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
Country
Netherlands
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Working conditions Workload
Available in
Dutch
Categories of staff
Teachers
Level of education
Primary education Secondary education
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.

Download resource in English
Publisher
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
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

Beyond burnout: A roadmap to improve educator well-being

Guides

The document outlines strategies to address educator burnout and improve their well-being. It highlights the importance of supporting educators through research-based strategies, professional development, and systemic changes. The report emphasizes the link between educator well-being and student outcomes.

Download resource in English
Publisher
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Educators Thriving
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2023
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Job satisfaction Mental health Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
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. .

Download resource in English
Publisher
Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO)
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.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) 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

Download resource in English
Publisher
Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) 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.

Download resource in English
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
Argentina Belgium Cameroon Canada France Japan Morocco Spain Switzerland United Kingdom
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

Social emotional health and resilience of teachers in the East European countries

Research

This study explored the social emotional health and resilience of 1,200 teachers from Latvia, Lithuania, and the Slovak Republic. Researchers assessed post-pandemic well-being across elementary, secondary, and high schools. Results showed high levels of covitality, especially in belief in self, belief in others, emotional competence, and engaged living, and moderate resilience in all three countries. Positive teacher strengths that were identified are self-regulation, empathy, cognitive reappraisal.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Human, Technologies and Quality of Education
Country
Latvia Lithuania Slovakia
Year of publication
2022
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Social emotional skills
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Violence, threats and power application

Guides

Vold, trusler og magtanvendelseg is a guidance document aimed at supporting teachers and school staff in handling situations involving violence, threats, and the use of force in Danish schools. It outlines the legal framework, including the rights and obligations of employees, and provides practical advice on how to respond to incidents, report them, and seek support. The pamphlet emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, clear communication, and collaboration between staff, management, and local authorities to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.

Download resource in Danish
Publisher
Danish Union of Teachers (DLF)
Country
Denmark
Year of publication
2022
Region
Europe
Topics
Physical health Violence and harassment Working conditions
Available in
Danish
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Guidance note on teacher wellbeing in emergency settings

Guides

The guidance note provides strategies to support teachers' mental health and overall wellbeing in crisis contexts. It emphasizes the importance of promoting access to mental health and psychosocial support, creating enabling work environments, and enhancing teacher voice, agency, and leadership. The guidance is aligned with the INEE Minimum Standards and offers practical recommendations, tools, and examples to help educators, policymakers, and humanitarian actors improve the resilience and effectiveness of education systems in emergencies.

Open resource in English Download resource in English Download resource in French Download resource in Spanish Download resource in Arabic Download resource in Portuguese Download resource in Ukrainian
Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
Country
Colombia Kenya Myanmar Palestine
Year of publication
2022
Topics
Leadership Mental health Safety Working conditions
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic Ukrainian
Categories of staff
Teachers
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.

Download resource in English
Publisher
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
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

Suicide and crisis lifeline 988: member support guide

Guides

The member support guide provides information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US, which offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors via call, text, or chat for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, mental health crises, or emotional distress. The guide explains how to determine whether a situation warrants contacting 988, what to expect during the call, and how to support someone in crisis while waiting for help. It also offers advice on post-crisis care and emphasizes the importance of seeking support for oneself after assisting someone through a crisis. It is important to note that this resource is context-specific and is intended as an example to inspire the development of similar tools in other contexts.

Download resource in English
Publisher
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2022
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Physical health Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file