Relationships are the heart of teaching — but a new study shows cracks are forming in teacher-student ties, and some educators fear the damage to learning could be long-lasting.
The survey of more than 400 teachers across Australia and New Zealand found that while 75% consider positive teacher-student relationships to be the most crucial factor for effective teaching and learning, 17% say relationships have gotten worse.
Of the teachers surveyed by Education Perfect (EP), 16% say workload is the biggest factor harming teacher-student relationships, with a staggering 52% saying they don’t have time for regular formative assessments.
However, many teachers believe technology and AI can give them back time to focus on real relationships, personalised learning, and helping students thrive.
Thirty-four per cent of teachers consider technology as the most crucial way to enhance personalised learning, according to the survey.
Technology seen as key – but still underfunded
In a recent evaluation of EP’s AI-driven technology, the ‘learning loop’ created by AI led to a 47% average improvement in students’ final response quality, and teachers reported it supported their workload.
The company’s latest survey echoes this optimism. If budgets and resourcing were not a barrier, teachers identified technology and AI integration as a top priority for improving classroom impact.
Almost a third of teachers (30%) strongly feel that technology could significantly enhance their ability to implement formative assessment practices, while 34% believe technology integration is crucial to improving personalised and adaptive learning.
James Santure, Head of Product Impact at Education Perfect said Australia’s teachers aren’t short on passion – they’re short on time, tools, and support.
“If we don’t fix that, no amount of funding or reform will make a difference,” Santure said. “The system is under pressure, and unless we back our teachers with practical, modern support, we’re setting them - and their students - up to fail.”