Keeping everyone healthy at school

A school should be a place where you feel comfortable. Everyone would probably agree with that - pupils and teachers. And you as parents whose children spend five days a week there anyway.

Current studies paint a different picture: many children are experiencing increasing stress at school. A study conducted by Pro Juventute in 2021 found that one in three children suffers from excessive pressure to perform. In 2018, the proportion of stressed children was still significantly lower. Stress levels among teachers have also increased: Although the majority are healthy, a quarter of teachers show moderate to severe signs of exhaustion.

Learning is challenging. Exams and homework, but also arguments in class and bullying lead to increased stress for pupils. Teachers experience the heterogeneity of a class, disruptions in lessons, the high proportion of administrative tasks and work with parents as stressful. In addition, school is a social meeting place in which relationships between those involved inevitably do not always function smoothly. This can also cause stress.

Pressure and stress among pupils, teachers and school management, but also among parents or guardians, ultimately affect the school's educational mission. After all, high quality teaching requires healthy and effective teachers. Teachers who feel happy and satisfied at their school can create a trusting classroom atmosphere and a good relationship with the pupils.

If teachers feel comfortable and efficient, this is transferred to the pupils.

Health strengthens education

Good teaching, in turn, promotes the well-being, health, learning motivation and educational success of children and young people. This can strengthen the mental health of learners and prevent bullying. Positive emotions in the classroom promote the joy of learning, educational success, well-being and health of learners.

In plain language: school management influences the health, well-being and performance of teachers, who in turn influence the health, well-being and performance of pupils. Participation, individual support and personalised promotion also strengthen the health of teachers and schoolchildren.

When health becomes a management goal, it creates a positive spiral that can strengthen and empower the entire school system. This is the core message of the Alliance for Workplace Health Promotion, which was founded by the Swiss Health Foundation Radix and the professional associations of teachers and school leaders and is supported by the Swiss Federation of Teachers (LCH).

Schools with an active health promotion programme can raise their profile as an attractive employer.

Those who lead the way benefit

Unfortunately, systematic health promotion has not yet arrived everywhere. Schools that lead the way can capitalise on this shortcoming. Especially in times when there is a shortage of skilled labour and teachers can choose where they want to work, schools with active health promotion can distinguish themselves as attractive employers.

Healthy and satisfied teachers feel more connected to the school, remain fit for work and are less absent or restricted in their work performance. As a result, fewer costs are incurred due to work-related illness. The resilience of the school organisation is strengthened and crises can be overcome more successfully. Those who enjoy their work are also more committed, which benefits everyone: employees, pupils and ultimately their parents.

Solve conflicts yourself

How does a school become a healthy school? By practising a culture of respectful interaction, trust and co-creation. By teaching pupils to express their feelings, respond to others and contribute feedback and ideas in the class council. By the school creating spaces that learners can help to shape. By teaching young people to resolve conflicts themselves in dispute resolution programmes. By a class working to prevent bullying and treating each other with respect.

This is only a small part of a health promotion programme. It is important that school management and teaching staff set a good example and take care of their health. The positive impact of these measures extends beyond the school. Since every child goes to school, the whole of society benefits. In order for healthy schools to become established in Switzerland, the support of all those involved is needed.

Thank you, dear parents, teachers and head teachers, for allowing us to count on you. Thank you for your commitment!