Building School Connectedness Through Systemic Social and Emotional Learning Efforts: The Singapore Story

• In Event: Current International Practices and Challenges in Social and Emotional Learning Intervention Programs

Abstract

School Connectedness is the belief by students that adults and peers in the school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals (U.S. Centre for Disease Control & Prevention, 2009). It has been shown to be associated with positive educational outcomes, such as better school attendance and academic performance, as well as lower rate of school dropout and manifestation of problematic behaviors. It is also a key contributor to conducive learning environment and student well-being. This paper will describe how Singapore schools strengthen their school connectedness through a range of SEL efforts. These include systematic teaching of social and emotional competencies, building students’ resilience and mental health, promoting a safe and supportive culture in schools, building a strong peer support network, and enhancing students’ future readiness and confidence via educational and career guidance. We will also share observations, key learning points and insights drawn from our experience of systemic implementation of SEL at the national level as well as working with schools.
In particular, we will present findings from school programs that promote strong teacher-student relationships, student peer support network, and staff collegiality. Building these key relationships in a school community is foundational to our SEL efforts. We establish these through our Teacher-Student Relationships (TSR) program and Peer Support and Relationships (PSR) program. Through these programs, our schools adopt whole-school approaches that enable teachers and students to acquire social and emotional skills to strengthen relationships between teachers and students, and among students. In addition, we also build mutual support and collegiality in school through our Social and Emotional Mastery program for school staff. This program focuses on strengthening the social and emotional competence of the adults in school and promoting peer support amongst them. Together, these three programs reinforce SEL in school through concrete and focused efforts in building positive relationships in the school community and contributes to its supportive culture.

Author

• Soo Lin Ong, Ministry of Education, Singapore