In a recent study conducted by Zamit India, 55% of teachers in India struggle with the completion of regular tasks on account of work-related stress and tension. The findings underlined the extent to which school teachers felt weighed down and constantly so, due to the high degree of pressure which t comes with their job. Add to this, the transition to online mode of teaching increased their woes. However, with a clutch of solutions launched by ed-tech platforms, gradually the Internet has helped in reducing the burden.
“Even as there has been an ever-increasing focus on the mental health and wellbeing of students, somewhere the mental health of teachers has been ignored. However, it must be remembered that with students spending a considerable amount of time engaging with and learning from their teachers, the mental health of teachers is critical to not only supporting the well-being of students but also their performance,” Aarul Malaviya, Founder, Zamit, told FE Education.
However, despite the Internet reducing the workload in certain cases for teachers, there are a few areas where the load has gone up. For instance, the pressure of adapting to hybrid teaching and learning environments has only increased post the pandemic.
“Educators often face overwhelming workloads, diverse learning needs and societal expectations. Additionally, the stressful COVID-19 experiences have taken a toll on teacher’s mental health and well being. A global survey identified over 75% of teachers reporting health issues stemming from high-stress levels–a situation that has been aggravated by excessive work hours. This not only affects teachers but also has a ripple effect on students’ academic outcomes,” Monica Malhotra Kandhari, managing director, MBD Group, AASOKA, said.
Interestingly, experts who belong to a different school of thought believe ed-tech platforms have emerged not just as tools for education but as partners in safeguarding teachers’ mental health. For example, streamlining of administrative tasks, facilitating interactive and personalised teaching approaches, and establishing efficient communication channels, among others, have helped to alleviate the undue burden on teachers. For Prem Das Maheshwari, business director, South Asia at D2L, mental health, community and growth of technology are some of the key issues which needs to be addressed in order to prevent faculty burnout. “Recognising and closing the gap in mental health support for faculty could improve feelings toward the workplace. This could include higher wages, more flexible workloads and better tech support. Furthermore, building a support system from within higher education could help faculty feel less alone. Lastly, the right training and support for commonly used technology could help faculty adjust to teaching online,” he explained.
Industry experts further opined that helping faculties to invest in professional development is yet another way to ensure that teachers are well-prepared. Moreover, when it comes to institutes’ investing in resources shows it values teachers. “This comprehensive approach can alleviate burnout, enhance teaching, and support educators, Das added.