WHAT GIVES KIDS MOST HAPPINESS
The census shows us the importance of having good relationships as students’ progress through school years — especially as they transition to high school and adolescence Hind Al Mualla, chief of creativity, happiness and innovation, KHDA
Students studying in Indian curriculum schools, those with good relationships with adults at home, pupils with healthy friendships in schools, and children with a healthy diet and sleep pattern are the happiest, according to the first-ever 2017 Dubai wellbeing census conducted by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The census would support Dubai’s vision to be among the top five happiest cities in the world by 2021
dubai — Students studying in Indian curriculum schools, students with good relationships with adults at home, students with healthy friendships in schools, and children with a healthy diet and sleep pattern are the ‘happiest’.
According to the first-ever 2017 Dubai Wellbeing Census conducted by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in association with the Department for Education and Child Development, Government of South Australia and the International Positive Education Network (IPEN), it is a combination of all above-mentioned factors that constitute welfare and prosperity among students.
Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the KHDA, said: “Education is an ecosystem. Good education should support a good life, and wellbeing supports a good life. At the KHDA, we have made a commitment to making wellbeing an essential part of our conversation with teachers, parents and with students.”
The census measured how students in Dubai’s private schools feel and think about their own wellbeing. It helps schools to improve student wellbeing and supports Dubai’s vision to be among the top five happiest cities in the world by 2021.
The students surveyed during November to December 2017 were from Grades 6 to 9 (Years 7 to 10) and this is the first year of a five-year initiative. A total of 64,686 students from 168 schools across 162 nationalities participated in the survey. The survey measured social and emotional well-being, physical health and lifestyle, relationship and learning, and after-school activities.
David Engelhardt, director, Department for Education and Child Development at the Government of South Australia, said: “Dubai now has one of the most comprehensive datasets on children’s happiness and wellbeing in the world. This will be of enormous benefit in helping schools, communities and governments develop plans to improve the happiness of the children of Dubai.”
He added: “The KHDA’s achievement in delivering a Wellbeing Census covering every school and offering every child in the middle years the opportunity to tell their story is world class. To deliver this in only nine months from commencing this project is a remarkable effort.”
Dr Karam stated that the census will help the community of parents, teachers and other caretakers to have more conversations about the importance of wellbeing among students.
Hind Al Mualla, chief of creativity, happiness and innovation at the KHDA, said: “The census shows us the importance of having good relationships as students’ progress through school years — especially as they transition to high school and adolescence.
“One of the key factors affecting student wellbeing is the quality of relationships they have with adults at home and school... It’s not just about improving relationships between students and teachers but also about maintaining good relationships with family.”