The emotional well-being of teachers in South Africa: a situation that needs our attention.
MilisaD Teachers are seen as the heroes of the society, growing attention is being paid to the emotional burden they carry on a daily bases. The question is how long can they withstand it without severe consequences for their own well-being and for the future of children in this country?
DR Marelize Vergottini , senior lecturer in Social Work at the North-West University ( NWU), states that the emotional well-being of our teachers is in a state of crisis. She explains ” Teaching has always been a challenging profession – a “calling”, as the saying goes but in South Africa, it is currently taking an emotional toll on teachers that cannot be ignored. Teachers are the backbone of the education system, and play one of the most important roles in the future of our children, but they are expected to work in unbearable conditions. Their emotional welfare causes concern and many teachers leave the profession, which has far-reaching consequences”.
The Department of Basic Education has increased the pressure on teachers they are more accountable and the performance measurements are also higher. In underprivileged areas each class can take between 50 to 70 learners, it is virtually impossible to pay individual attention to a learner, maintain discipline or provide quality teaching.
DR Vergottini added ” If South Africa is serious about improving education, the welfare of it’s teachers should be the starting point. Focus on smaller classroom sizes, reducing administrative tasks, and providing appropriate training and support for inclusive education. Recognition should be given to the emotional inputs that accompany teaching. This profession includes people who carry our adults of the future in their hands. Without urgent intervention we run the risk of losing more of our most dedicated teachers”
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