Changes in mental health of teachers of basic, middle and higher education due to the shift from in-person classes to on-line classes

Abstract

In 2020, schools were closed as part of a series of measures taken by governments, such as the Mexican government, in order to face the pandemic of COVID-19. In this situation, distance education was implemented using the communication technologies. This forced change has brought several challenges for students and teacher, who had to adapt to conditions where internet connection fails, available computers are no optimal, academic and work activities are mixed with house duties, the lockdown and the unfamiliarity with technological devices. In this research, 10 teachers from basic, middle and higher education were interviewed about the changes in their work situation due do pandemics and how these changes have affected them. As a result, it was found that teachers consider that distance classes offer some advantages, such as saving the time it takes to go to school. In turn, the lack of commitment on the side of students is a disadvantage, as well as the poor-quality internet services. The affective relationships have also decreased due too physical distance. In regards to mental health, no affectations due to the distance classes were found.