Teachers Face Growing Emotional Strain In Digital Age - JKM

KOTA BHARU, May 17 (Bernama) -- The teaching profession has become increasingly challenging in the digital era, with teachers facing not only teaching and administrative duties, but also pressure from social media and viral issues that can affect their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Kelantan Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Che Samsuzuki Che Noh said advances in technology and social media had exposed teachers to greater psychological pressure, as issues involving schools could easily attract public attention.

He said the situation required more comprehensive emotional and psychological support to help teachers adapt to current challenges.

“Teachers today are not only dealing with responsibilities at school, but also pressure from social media and issues that can easily go viral, affecting their emotions.

“Besides teaching, they also have to manage various matters including student discipline problems, administrative tasks and public perception in the digital space,” he told Bernama recently.

Che Samsuzuki said although issues involving teachers’ workload fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education (MOE), JKM also plays a role in supporting the welfare and mental wellbeing of educators.

He said the department provides psychological support and counselling services through counsellors and assistant counsellors in every district to help handle cases involving emotional stress, trauma and anxiety.

“If there are teachers who need emotional support or intervention, JKM is ready to assist through the counselling services provided.

“We also work closely with schools and the MOE in helping students facing social or emotional problems so that pressure on teachers can be reduced,” he said.

He added that the public should better understand the challenges faced by teachers today and avoid making quick judgments on issues that go viral on social media without knowing the actual situation.

“Educators are also ordinary people who need emotional support and space to continue carrying out their responsibility of educating the future generation,” he said.

-- BERNAMA