Why Young People Need Social and Emotional Skills for Academic Success and Wellbeing
"Social Emotional Learning is at the heart of Porticus' education strategy."
Students with strong social and emotional skills are likely to have better educational outcomes and higher aspirations than their peers, according to a new survey from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The resulting report, Social and Emotional Skills for Better Lives, contains vital findings for educators everywhere.
This survey was the second round of the largest international effort to collect data on these skills – which include self-control, stress resistance, assertiveness, and empathy – among 10- and 15-year-old students. Porticus has supported OECD with this project from its inception.
One important insight is that the development of students’ social and emotional skills does not come at the expense of academic learning. Instead, addressing disparities in these skills can be an effective strategy to improve students’ educational outcomes.
Curiosity and persistence are particularly linked to academic success. Students with these skills tend to have better school attendance and achieve higher marks in reading, mathematics, and arts.
The report also demonstrates the correlation between social and emotional skills and children's wellbeing. Students with higher levels of social and emotional skills tend to report higher life satisfaction, ambition, and psychological wellbeing. This is true as much as in low-income countries and conflict zones, as it is in high-income countries.
From left to right: Mr. Dimitar Tsotsorkov, Chairman of Assarel-Medet; Mr. Dobromir Ivanov, Executive Director of BESCO; Rob Doble, Education Director at Porticus; and Mrs. Darinka Georgieva, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. Photo: OECD
Why this survey matters
At Porticus we want children living in adversity to be able to attend school, engage in education effectively, and have their social and emotional learning (SEL) needs addressed. That’s why we have partnered with OECD since 2016 and supported this survey to investigate how social and emotional skills contribute to quality education and key life outcomes.
SEL benefits all children, but it's even more critical for those facing tough times. Without SEL, young people may struggle to fully develop the academic and life skills that can help them break cycles of adversity. However, education systems tend to only ‘treasure what they can measure’. It is critical that these more invisible social and emotional skills are made visible through appropriate, effective assessment, and for this data to drive action to support those being left behind.
Rob Doble, Porticus's Sector Director for Education, shared insights at the survey's launch event. He stated, "Social Emotional Learning is at the heart of Porticus' education strategy. It involves understanding ourselves, regulating emotions, and interacting with others. That is why we see a powerful opportunity for SEL to be a game changer.
“The OECD study shows those children facing adversity are further behind, but these trajectories can be changed. This can be an opportunity to equalise things."
Watch Rob Doble's participation during the launch of the study:
SEL and the role of education
The rise of artificial intelligence prompts questions about education's role in preparing students for the 21st century. Today, ChatGPT can already outperform students in maths and language exams.
Education should engage students' interests and passions. That's why social and emotional skills are essential for an education that revolves around the talents and interests of young people.
Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills at OECD, emphasised that education's future depends on what makes us human. "Schools need to grasp what students are passionate about, what their talents and strengths are. And also, what the world needs, because we don't live solely for ourselves but for the world.
“We're witnessing a growing misalignment between the aspirations of the youth and what our society and economy need,” Andreas cautioned. “We must bring these two worlds together, and that's what this study is all about."
