Beyond the Call of Duty: Importance Of Teacher Well-Being
When we talk about education, we often focus on students—how they learn, their well-being, and their future. But what about the well-being of teachers, the very individuals shaping the next generation? Singapore Minister of education Chan Chun Sing’s recent remarks on teacher workload and welfare have reignited an important conversation: Are we doing enough to support our educators?
The Hidden Struggles of Teachers
Teaching has always been a demanding profession, but in recent years, the challenges have intensified. Teachers are expected to do far more than just deliver lessons; they juggle lesson planning, grading, administrative work, and even play the role of mentors and counsellors to their students. Minister Chan recently acknowledged that teachers often go beyond their official duties, highlighting that some even receive late-night calls and messages from concerned parents.
While this dedication is commendable, it also raises concerns about teacher burnout. When teachers are stretched too thin, the consequences ripple beyond their personal well-being—it directly affects student learning and school environments.
Why Teacher Well-Being Matters for Students
- A Happy Teacher = An Engaged Student
- When teachers are mentally and emotionally well, they bring more energy, creativity, and passion into their classrooms. Research has shown that teacher stress and burnout negatively impact student engagement and academic performance.
- Mental Health and Emotional Stability
- Teachers play a crucial role in shaping students’ social and emotional development. But when teachers themselves are overwhelmed, they may struggle to provide the emotional support students need.
- Retention of Great Educators
- There is also the possibility of talented teachers leaving the profession due to stress and workload. High turnover rates mean students lose experienced educators who could have made a lasting impact on their learning journey.
Addressing the Challenges: What Can Be Done?
Minister Chan has emphasised the need to create clearer boundaries to help teachers manage expectations from students and parents. By stating that teachers do not need to give out their own personal mobile numbers to parents nor reply to their non-essential enquries after office hours, this can help to aid teachers in establishing boundaries and allow teachers to focus on conducting classes and student activities, as well as have protected time after school hours to take care of their families, rest and recharge. Beyond that, schools and policymakers can also take proactive steps to ease teacher burdens:
- Reduce Administrative Workload:
Automating routine administrative tasks can free up valuable time for teachers to focus on what truly matters—teaching and mentoring. Our automated relief planning solution Roster helps to streamline relief teacher and allow teachers to save more than 600 man-hours annually, reducing unnecessary stress. - Encourage a Culture of Respect and Boundaries:
Parents play a key role in supporting teachers. Besides ensuring that parents do not contact teachers after office hours, establishing clear communication channels and guidelines on when and how parents should engage with teachers is also important. - Invest in Teacher Mental Health Support:
Last but not least, providing access to mental health resources, counselling services, and wellness programs tailored for educators are also essential in ensuring teachers do not become burnout.
Conclusion
A student’s success is often tied to the dedication of their teachers. But if we expect teachers to continue going “beyond the call of duty,” we must ensure they are supported, valued, and given the resources they need to thrive. Minister Chan’s comments have brought much-needed attention to this issue—it’s now up to schools, policymakers, and society to take action.
