Project Sampoorna – Findings from the IDinsight survey

Socio-emotional skills help students successfully navigate evolving circumstances within and around them, learn to manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and beyond. Studies show a positive impact of socio-emotional learning (SEL) on many aspects of students’ lives, including academic performance ¹², school graduation, and attendance rates. Better socio-emotional development can also build a positive school culture, leading to increased engagement, better relationships between students and staff, and improved school safety³. Overall, SEL is an essential component of a comprehensive and well-rounded education.

Adolescents’ socio-emotional development is influenced by all facets of their lives and interactions with others. The family environment, relationships with peers and teachers, socio-economic status, and cultural background are among the primary factors that shape an adolescent’s social and emotional development⁴. Specifically, supportive school environments can enhance an adolescent’s self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills⁵. Teachers can play a key role in developing social and emotional skills in students, which can further lead to academic and long-term success⁶. In contrast, social isolation, bullying, and discrimination can hinder an adolescent’s socio-emotional development and lead to emotional and behavioural problems that can continue into adulthood⁷.

A focus on socio-emotional development is critical in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the world witnessed an alarming increase in out-of-school students and worsened mental health among students⁸. School closures exacerbated feelings of loneliness, stress, and depression. Studies show that extended periods of isolation have lingering effects on students’ mental health and impact their education and social inclusion⁹. Many students might have also experienced grief or trauma related to the loss of loved ones, financial instability, or other pandemic- related stressors. Integrating practices that support social-emotional development in schools can go a long way to alleviate student distress, build resilience, and contribute to whole child development.

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