Education is the backbone of a nation. The quality of education is the foundation of a country’s economic growth and social stability. Therefore, a strong and constructive bond between teachers and students plays a vital role in national development. This relationship not only makes the learning process easier but also has a significant impact on social and economic progress. In enhancing education quality, psychological and social development, national progress, and presenting the nation with a positive image on the global stage, this relationship is of immense importance.
Research consistently shows that negative teacher behaviour, such as hostility, incivility, or burnout, can negatively impact students’ mental well-being. In higher education settings, teachers who exhibit conflict-inducing attitudes due to discontent or strained professional relationships are found to impact students’ psychological health and academic outcomes.
•Furthermore, longitudinal research in Australia revealed that students with consistently poor-quality relationships with teachers experience higher levels of emotional difficulties, behavioural problems, hyperactivity, and peer issues compared to those with stable, positive teacher interactions.
•Additionally, teacher burnout has been physiologically linked to elevated stress in students, evidenced by increased cortisol levels in classrooms where teachers report significant burnout.
•Together, these findings underscore the vital importance of nurturing supportive, respectful teacher-student interactions to protect and promote student mental health.
Teacher behaviour plays a crucial role in shaping students’ mental health and academic motivation. Studies show that negative interactions, such as humiliation, harsh criticism, or lack of support, can increase anxiety, depression, and feelings of low self-worth in students.
Longitudinal research has linked poor teacher-student relationships with higher risks of emotional difficulties, hyperactivity, and peer-related issues. Similarly, teacher burnout and hostility can directly elevate student stress levels, as measured by cortisol biomarkers.
Conversely, supportive teacher behaviour improves students’ resilience, engagement, and academic performance. For example, the American Psychological Association reports show that positive teacher-student relationships are associated with higher motivation and lower dropout rates. In Bangladesh, research by Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research (2019) found that schools with healthy teacher-student bonds had 15–20% higher pass rates. These findings highlight that teacher conduct is not just an instructional factor but a determinant of students’ psychological well-being and long-term success.
A study by Pierson and Hynes (2006) revealed that a healthy teacher-student relationship boosts students’ confidence and focus on learning. In other words, a positive relationship increases students’ interest in education and helps maximise their learning capacity. On the contrary, if a teacher belittles a student for failing to understand a lesson, the student’s mental state suffers, leading to feelings of inferiority or lack of self-esteem, and in some cases, resulting in dropping out of education altogether. Discipline is necessary, but it must be balanced.
On the international stage, the key strength of developed nations lies in education and technology. They are highly conscious of this fact, prioritising not just quantity but also quality in education. Their focus extends beyond budget allocation and funding increases; they emphasise which productive educational activities can contribute to their national development. For example, the United States. Similarly, Finland’s education system is regarded as a model worldwide and is often considered the best in the world. The foundation of this excellence lies in the positive, friendly relationships between teachers and students, which enhance the quality of education.
