Happiness in Education: The UNESCO Initiative

The “Happy Schools” initiative by UNESCO aims to integrate happiness into educational transformation, recognizing its dual role as both a means and an objective for quality learning. Scientific data reveals a strong link between happiness and enhanced learning outcomes, teaching effectiveness, well-being, and resilience within educational systems, positioning happiness as a vital lever for improving learning experiences rather than conflicting with academic excellence. The initiative provides a flexible global framework based on four pillars—People, Process, Place, and Principles—along with 12 high-level criteria to guide the creation of happy educational environments. Amid a growing educational crisis, with alarming statistics on declining health and well-being among students and teachers, 84 out of 143 countries indicated the need to support mental and physical health in schools during the UN Education Transformation Summit in 2022, though few proposed concrete actions. Rooted in philosophical and normative foundations, the pursuit of happiness is recognized as a fundamental human goal that aligns with various international educational and development recommendations. Countries such as Portugal, Vietnam, Yemen, Japan, Laos, and Thailand have initiated national efforts towards establishing happy schools, showcasing the adaptability of the UNESCO framework across diverse contexts. Stakeholders, including policymakers, school leaders, and educators, are encouraged to engage in the initiative to foster happier learning environments and can connect with UNESCO or join community networks for collaboration and resources.

Source: UNESCO