Insights · 2026
The state of the classroom
Wellbeing, attention and calm under pressure
What teachers are seeing in secondary classrooms, why it matters, and what actually helps. A short read for school leaders and care coordinators.
In short
Schools carry more responsibility for wellbeing and social safety than ever, with teams that are already stretched.
Mindfulness is no miracle cure, but attention training has measurable effects on calm, concentration and emotion regulation — and it fits within existing frameworks.
Unrest and absenteeism are rising
Teachers report more restlessness in class and more absence than a few years ago. The causes are broad, but the pressure lands in the classroom, on a team that is already full.
- More impulsive reactions and less room to learn.
- Absenteeism that is hard to turn around once it sets in.
- Wellbeing that competes with everything else on the timetable.
Wellbeing is now a legal task
Social safety is a legal obligation, and the Gezonde School Wellbeing theme asks for concrete, measurable action. Schools need activities that help students and stand up on paper.
- A demonstrable contribution to your social-safety plan.
- Fits the Gezonde School Wellbeing theme certificate.
- Something you can report towards board, inspectorate or GGD.
Attention can be trained
The good news: attention is a skill, and skills can be trained. A build-up programme of a few weeks can already make a noticeable difference for the individual student and the group.
- Better attention and concentration, less stress.
- Emotions recognised sooner and handled more calmly.
- A calmer group climate with more room for empathy.
“[Placeholder — a care coordinator on the pressure schools face.]”
[Care coordinator, school]
Wellbeing is no longer a nice-to-have. It is part of the job — and it can be measured.
“[Placeholder — a teacher on what changed in the class after the programme.]”
[Teacher, school]
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Sources: Kennisrotonde, Mindfulness in Schools Project. Figures marked [X] are placeholders pending verified data. Draft template — figures are placeholders until verified.