Happy teachers make happy pupils, shows Antwerp study

“Teachers are real role models for children in primary school,” professor Guido Van Hal of Antwerp University (UAntwerp), who was involved in the research, told De Standaard. For Peter Bellens, the welfare and health deputy of Antwerp province, the survey shows that the government should focus more on improving teachers’ general well-being and job satisfaction.

The findings are the result of a poll conducted by the province of Antwerp among almost 14,000 students in the final three years of primary school. The survey was organised in 163 primary schools in 54 municipalities in Antwerp province.

On average, the children gave themselves a happiness score of eight out of 10. The poll found no significant difference between boys and girls, or between younger and older pupils.

Children who do not speak Dutch at home reported slightly lower happiness scores and also experienced slightly more bullying. The survey also showed that possession of a smartphone or game console had no influence on children’s level of well-being.

Instead, happiness levels are heavily determined by such factors as friends, the absence of bullying, feeling motivated and healthy relationships with multiple people, though especially with parents. Children who enjoy going to school and like their teacher also reported greater levels of happiness.