What’s it that keeps students happy to be in school?
Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) released some interesting findings after surveying over 9,000 students from over 35 schools through their maiden ‘school of hearts’ initiative.
When asked if they are happy to be at school, 83 per cent of Dubai’s elementary school students (9 to 13 year olds) and 78 per cent of middle school students (12-16 year olds) gave it a thumbs up.
Students shared their views in three broad categories – physical wellbeing, relationship with adults and relationship with other students.
The numbers are a great indicator said Hind Al Mualla, Chief of Creativity, Happiness & Innovation at KHDA, adding that surveys like these help schools to identify problem areas and work towards eliminating it.
This is the first year that KHDA has undertaken such a project, and they plan to making it an annual exercise, and hoped more schools will join in the future.
KHDA added schools were asked to volunteer to participate, and will not be linked to school inspections. “Inspections is most focused on academics, but this will be more holistic,” added Hind.
Still a pilot project, KHDA is yet to decide whether the study will be an annual exercise. “We get to learn so much from the data, so it will be interesting to see where we can take it from here,” Hind said.
In the second phase of the initiative, each participating school will receive an individualised report from KHDA that will help schools to discuss the happiness of students by hosting ‘listening circles’ to bring together students, teachers and school leaders.
The survey, an electronic form which was left open for over two weeks, was adapted from a study by a non-profit organization called West Ed in California.
“They have been running this for years, and its part of the school climate index. We took what works for us, and we don’t want to burden schools but want to add something of value.”
While the stats mostly hinted at positive growth, educators were concerned about 34 per cent of the students in middle school who felt “so sad or hopeless that stopped doing some usual activities”.
Hind admitted it was worrying, but added that it meant schools will now address all areas and devise an action plan to ensure their students’ wellbeing.
Most school heads present at the event claimed they have comprehensive action plan to tackle student problems. From student counsellors to student talking groups, there are different strategies that schools adapt.
“These studies help us identify problem areas and how to tackle them,” added a schoolteacher of an Indian school.
The results were announced on March 20, which is globally celebrated as the international day of happiness. Since the International Day of Happiness was established by United Nations in 2012, thousands of happiness initiatives all over the world have emerged to celebrate and promote its values.
Page last updated 31 December 2019