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.

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This guide addresses the impact of COVID-19 on schools and the importance of unionization during crises. It consists of two parts: one focusing on COVID-19-related concepts and the other on trade unionism in the context of the pandemic. The guide aims to provide essential information that authorities have overlooked and to emphasize the critical role of unions in advocating for teachers' rights.

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Publisher: Syndicat des Enseignants du Congo (SYECO) Fédération nationale des enseignants du Congo (FENECO-UNTC) Centrale de l’Education Nationale et de la Recherche Scientifique (CSC-Enseignement)
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Africa
Topics: Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Downloadable file

The Education and Solidarity Network organized this webinar to discuss Universal Health Coverage and the role of educational communities in this mobilization for #HealthForAll. The event highlighted the challenges of Universal Health Coverage, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the interdependence between health and education. Key speakers, including representatives from mutual benefit societies and educational unions, shared insights on obstacles to implementation, advocacy actions, and the importance of maintaining safe and dignified working conditions for educators.

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Publisher: Education and Solidarity Network (ESN)
Country: Canada Colombia Democratic Republic of the Congo
Year of publication: 2020

Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Video

The CTF/FCE Pandemic Study Phase One Survey was conducted between June 1-18 in 2020, and had over 15,000 teachers participating. From the responses to this Survey, CTF/FCE reported on the mental health of students and teachers, and documented concerning mental health trends, as educators navigated emergency remote teaching in 2020.

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Publisher: Canadian Teachers' Federation/Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants (CTF/FCE)
Country: Canada
Year of publication: 2020

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: English
Resource type: Downloadable file

The webnar discusses the health of teachers in France. It focuses on the challenges they faced in 2020 due to the health crisis and other stressors. It reviews scientific data on teachers' health and offers several support mechanisms.

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Publisher: UNESCO
Country: France
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Europe
Topics: Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Video

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2020 reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the mental health of UK education staff, leading to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The report highlights the challenges of transitioning to online teaching, managing pupil behavior, and dealing with personal safety concerns. Despite some improvements in workplace culture and organizational support, the overall wellbeing of education staff remains a critical issue, requiring urgent action to enhance working conditions and support systems to address these pandemic-related challenges effectively.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2020

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

The reportoutlines a nationwide effort to confront the growing impact of trauma on students and educators. Sparked by a leadership meeting in 2019, the report captures insights from a convening of 39 state affiliates, aiming to understand current approaches, build a shared framework, and recommend actionable steps. It emphasizes the complexity of trauma’s root causes and highlights strategies such as educator training, legislative advocacy, and community partnerships.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA) National Council of State Education Associations
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2019

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Specific communities: Ethnic minorities
Resource type: Downloadable file

The article explores how schools like Dora Moore in Denver are transforming discipline through community-building strategies such as peace circles, daily check-ins, and conflict-resolution walks. These restorative practices foster stronger relationships between students and educators, replacing punitive approaches with kindness and understanding. Supported by a major NEA grant, Dora Moore has become a model for other schools nationwide, demonstrating how restorative methods can reduce racial disparities in discipline and create more inclusive, supportive learning environments.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2019

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Web page

Indeklima i folkeskolen – et overblik over typiske udfordringer og bud på handlemuligheder is a guidance pamphlet published by the Danish Union of Teachers (DLF), offering a comprehensive overview of the most common indoor climate issues in Danish public schools. It addresses challenges such as poor air quality, emissions from building materials, mold, insufficient cleaning, temperature regulation, noise, lighting conditions, and radiation exposure. The document provides practical suggestions for how workplace environment groups and school leadership can tackle and prevent these problems, including through workplace assessments (APV), collaboration with parents and students, and involvement of relevant authorities.

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Publisher: Danish Union of Teachers (DLF)
Country: Denmark
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Danish
Categories of staff: Teachers
Level of education: Primary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

The document focuses on the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in and around educational settings, particularly in Africa. It draws on the experience of nine EI member organisations in seven African countries committed to combatting SRGBV in their contexts. The first section focuses on actions these unions have taken internally to adapt decision making structures, update policies and deploy resources to empower their members to act. The second section looks at how education unions have reached out to other stakeholders (legislators, ministries, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, parents, media and learners) to pursue coordinated strategies for change.

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Publisher: Gender at Work Education International (EI) United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI)
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Africa
Topics: Safety Violence and harassment Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian
Resource type: Downloadable file

"Dagsljuskrav och utblick på arbetsplatsen": The research report explores the impact of daylight requirements and views in the workplace on health and behavior. It highlights the importance of natural light for maintaining circadian rhythms, improving sleep, reducing daytime sleepiness, and enhancing mood. The report discusses various methods for measuring daylight exposure and recommends prioritizing natural light over artificial alternatives.

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Publisher: Arbetsmiljöverket Stressforskningsinstitutet Stockholms universitet
Country: Sweden
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Swedish
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The publication "Salud y Condiciones de Trabajo de las/os Trabajadoras/es de la Educación de la Argentina" by CTERA presents the findings of a national survey on the health and working conditions of education workers in Argentina. It highlights the economic and physical challenges faced by educators, such as low salaries, multiple job roles, and inadequate school infrastructure. The survey emphasizes the need for better working conditions, including regular maintenance of school facilities, access to clean water, and proper heating and cooling systems.

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Publisher: Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina (CTERA)
Country: Argentina
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Latin America
Topics: Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

The report highlights the challenges faced by teachers in managing reproductive health matters within the constraints of the school year and existing sick leave schemes. The report reveals that many teachers experience difficulties in scheduling appointments and treatments, often resorting to using school closures or personal leave. It emphasizes the need for a dedicated reproductive health leave scheme to support teachers, reduce stress, and ensure privacy.

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Publisher: Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO)
Country: Ireland
Year of publication: 2019

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

The charter outlines key principles and strategies to promote mental wellbeing among school and college staff. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe workplace, providing support from colleagues and managers, ensuring fair and equal treatment, establishing clear procedures and roles, allowing personal and social time, and conducting stress risk assessments. The charter aims to integrate mental health considerations into the culture, organization, and management of educational institutions.

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Publisher: National Education Union (NEU)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The NASUWT guide on risk assessment of violent and abusive behaviour provides essential advice for education employers on their legal duties to protect staff from violence and abuse. It outlines the procedures that schools can follow to tackle disruptive and violent behaviour, emphasizing the importance of conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing control measures, and sharing relevant information with staff. The guide also highlights the detrimental impact of violent incidents on staff wellbeing and school environments, and stresses the need for effective behaviour policies to ensure a safe and supportive workplace for both staff and pupils. The NASUWT has produced tailored guidance for members from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The NASUWT guide on risk assessment of violent and abusive behaviour provides comprehensive advice for education employers on their legal duties to protect staff from violence and abuse. It outlines procedures for schools and colleges to tackle disruptive and violent behaviour, emphasizing the importance of conducting thorough risk assessments for pupils who display high levels of aggression. The guide highlights the significant impact of poor pupil behaviour on teachers' health and wellbeing, and stresses the need for effective behaviour policies and risk management strategies to ensure a safe and supportive working environment for educators.

Open resource in English

Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

Ei-iE

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

Caring for educators, caring for our communities

Featured topics

Showing All 194 Resources

Let’s unionize to strengthen our organizations during the crisis

Educational communities mobilize for universal health coverage

Canadian teachers responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) – Pandemic research study mental health report

Teachers' health today and tomorrow

Teacher wellbeing index - 2020

Addressing the epidemic of trauma in schools

How restorative practices work for students and educators

Indoor climat in elementary school: An overview of typical challenges and suggestions for action

Strategies to end school-related gender-based violence: The experience of education unions in Africa

Daylight Requirements and Views in the Workplace: Effects on Health and Behavior

Health and working conditions of education workers in Argentina: CTERA national survey

Reproductive related health matters: INTO member survey report

Mental health charter

Risk assessment of violent and abusive behaviour

Risk assessment of violent and abusive behaviour