The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students has been widely discussed, but what about their teachers?
A new survey suggests that the events of the last year have had a profound impact on the teaching profession, with the vast majority – 85% – claiming that having to give lessons remotely has left them feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Digital learning platform, Quizlet, surveyed more than 1,200 teachers from across the educational spectrum, ahead of this week’s return to the classroom.
More than a third of respondents (35%) said that they feel less passionate about their vocation than they did before the pandemic struck, with almost two-thirds (625) reporting a rise in occupational stress levels.
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Other key findings:
- 78% of teachers say the government could be doing more to support mental health during the pandemic, with 49% claiming that not enough is being done
- 88% say that making up for lost learning by reducing the summer holiday or extending the length of the school day would negatively impact the mental health of educators; 75% apply the same concern to their students
- 37% of state schoolteachers said they had lacked the proper resources to teach during lockdown; 26% of those teaching in the private sector said the same
- A fifth of those surveyed claimed to have received no provision for mental health support from their school during the pandemic
“We have seen a lot of news this year expressing concern for how the pandemic is affecting students and their families, with little thought being given to teachers, many of whom have seen workloads increase and are working twice as hard to fulfil expectations,” said Rahim Hirji, UK country manager at Quizlet.
“Combined with a lack of clarity around what the coming months will hold, and the added burden of having to grade GCSE and A-level students themselves, with less evidence than ever before, many teaching staff are feeling overworked, under-supported and more stressed than ever.
“It is hugely important to address the occupational stress and strain that many teachers currently find themselves working under, and to equip them with the support and tools needed to empower them to confidently and passionately educate young people during the coming months.
“Sadly, it is clear that not enough is being done to support the mental wellbeing of our teachers during these difficult times, and the potential long-term impact of this is deeply concerning.”
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