Photo/Illutration Education ministry officials brief reporters in Tokyo on Dec. 20 about statistics on leaves of absence among public school teachers during fiscal 2021. (Norihiko Kuwabara)

A record high 5,897 public school teachers took leaves of absence because of mental illness in fiscal 2021, up 694 from the previous fiscal year, according to an education ministry survey released on Dec. 26.

It was fifth straight year for the figure to top 5,000.

If the number of teachers who took sick leaves for a month or more is added, the figure shoots up to 10,944 and exceeds 10,000 for the first time, according to the survey that covered prefectural and city education boards.

The 10,944 combined figure was up 1,448 from the previous fiscal year.

Among those teachers, 2,794 were in their 20s, or 1.87 percent of active teachers in this age bracket, the survey said. The ratio was the largest among all age groups.

Of the combined total, 2,859 teachers were in their 30s, or 1.36 percent, and 2,437 were in their 40s, or 1.27 percent. Those 50 or older totaled 2,854, or 0.92 percent.

The ministry said younger teachers were more apt to take leaves of absence for mental illness.

A ministry official said one underlying reason was that the volume of work has not been shared equally among teachers. Another reason is that it has become more difficult for teachers to communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official also said there are now fewer middle-ranking teachers in their 40s who typically support younger teachers in their 20s and 30s. The reduction was caused by declining numbers of new recruits in the education field.

Local education boards have taken steps to make it easier for teachers to return to work after taking a leave of absence.

In fiscal 2021, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education started a “return-to-work” program with Kanto Central Hospital of the Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers.

Under the program, teachers who have recovered from their illnesses and hope to return to work are eligible for support activities, including yoga and horticultural therapy.

The program also offers regular visits to a doctor.

The Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education in fiscal 2022 established a team of experts, including a clinical psychotherapist, at its office to help prevent teachers from suffering from mental illnesses.

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