Stephen West, Director of the Education and Human Development Institute (EDI), emphasized that the philosophy of happiness in education is a key element in building a future where our children not only achieve academic success but also develop as happy and well-rounded individuals.
Happiness is a process, not a destination.
Recently, TH School (Chua Boc campus, Hanoi) was selected by the Institute for Educational Research and Human Resource Development (EDI) as the venue for the "Happiness in Education 2024" conference. The two-day conference brought together leading education experts from Vietnam and around the world , featuring nearly 20 presentations and workshops sharing skills, methods, structures, and models for creating a happy learning environment for students.
Stephen West, Director of the Education and Human Resource Development Institute (EDI), shared his thoughts on happiness in school.
At the opening session, Stephen West, Director of the Education and Human Resource Development Institute (EDI), shared his personal journey in finding happiness and offered a candid perspective on happiness in education today.
Steven said that six years ago he had planned to come to Vietnam to work for two years, but the wonderful experiences here made him change his mind and stay longer. He believes that Vietnamese education is in a "revolutionary era," with the conditions for significant changes.
The director of the EDI Institute recounted his poor academic performance in high school in his native Australia, only achieving C grades due to a lack of interconnected subjects and an unintegrated approach. While many encouraged him to attend university, he chose to work on his family's rose export farm. He then pursued various careers, including photography, the air force, and technology. At age 30, he returned to university and competed with younger students. By then, he had a clear understanding of his academic goals and consistently achieved A grades. After graduating, he became a lecturer and found great passion and enthusiasm in his work.
Drawing from his own experience, he concluded that happiness is an important part of life. Happiness is a process, not a destination. We learn from our mistakes and gradually improve ourselves.
Students at TH School enthusiastically participated in the lesson.
What does happiness mean in education?
According to Steve, happiness in education is a goal many countries around the world strive for. In reality, based on his personal experience, not every school in "advanced education systems"—as Vietnam calls them—is truly a happy educational environment.
Speaking about happiness in education, Steve shared: "The philosophy of happiness in education emphasizes the importance of building a positive emotional and psychological environment in schools. This philosophy suggests that happiness is not only the ultimate goal but also an integral part of the learning process. It encourages the development of emotional intelligence, perseverance, and a sense of belonging in students – factors that contribute to happiness, personal satisfaction, and academic success."
The key elements of happiness in education include:
Mental health: Prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of students and teachers.
Engagement: Creating an engaging learning environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and a passion for learning.
Community: Building strong social relationships among students and within the educational community to foster collaboration and mutual support.
In Vietnam, integrating emotional and psychological well-being into education is receiving increasing attention. Schools have begun incorporating educational programs that not only focus on academic achievement but also emphasize emotional development, life skills, and teamwork. Activities such as soft skills education, arts, sports , and extracurricular activities are all important elements that help students develop holistically and feel happy.
However, implementing happiness in education still faces some challenges, such as a lack of resources and difficulties in changing the perceptions of some teachers and parents. In addition, building a happy learning environment requires close cooperation among stakeholders such as teachers, students, parents, and the community.
Despite numerous challenges, the trend of introducing the happy school model into Vietnamese education is growing and is expected to bring positive changes to the education system, helping students not only succeed academically but also develop well emotionally and spiritually.
A happy school is a place where students feel a sense of belonging.
Impressive figures on happiness in education at TH School
Mr. Steve stated that teachers at the TH School system regularly receive training and skill updates through courses from the EDI Institute and are imbued with the philosophy of happiness in education. The school encourages and facilitates the implementation of these philosophies, creating happy lessons and a school environment that helps develop children's individual potential.
From the very beginning, Labor Hero Thai Huong, the founder of TH School, stated: "Let us build TH School with the heart and soul of a mother, by imparting advanced education from around the world and the essence of Vietnamese studies. TH School creates true happiness for students, producing a golden workforce of international standards for a strong and prosperous Vietnam."
Currently, the Director of the EDI Institute assesses that TH School is one of the leading institutions in applying the philosophy of happiness to its educational model, integrating various methods to nurture happiness in students. In fact, TH School has implemented the philosophy of happiness since its establishment. One of the school's core values is "For true happiness," along with other values such as Holistic Development; Dedication, Gratitude and Humanism; Global Thinking; and Pride in Vietnam.
TH School students confidently showcased their abilities at the international education conference.
Lessons at TH School are specially designed to foster emotional and social skills. The comprehensive curriculum focuses on developing life skills, sports, and the arts.
In addition to a team of experienced teachers deeply rooted in a philosophy of happiness, the school also has School Counselors and Career Counselors who work alongside teachers to improve students' mental health and support their career paths.
Steve said that the EDI Institute – which plays a crucial role in training TH School teachers on the philosophy of happiness in education – has equipped TH School teachers with the necessary tools and strategies to build a positive learning environment. Examples include workshops on mental health, teaching methods that promote student engagement, and supportive classroom management techniques.
By providing resources and career development guidance, EDI helps teachers at TH School effectively practice the philosophy of happiness, ensuring they can create classrooms where students feel valued, safe, and happy.
Founded by Labor Hero Thai Huong, over the past nearly 10 years, the EDI Institute has affirmed its position in the field of education in Vietnam, promoting the comprehensive development of human resources – especially in the education sector – through in-depth training programs, workshops, and specialized conferences, sharing knowledge and updating advanced educational trends. EDI focuses particularly on teacher training. EDI is committed to working alongside schools and teachers nationwide in developing innovative and effective teaching programs, creating "happy classrooms."
Beyond simply disseminating knowledge, the Institute also aims to spread happiness in learning and teaching, creating an environment where both teachers and students find joy and meaning in every learning journey.
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/giam-doc-vien-nghien-cuu-giao-duc-va-phat-trien-nhan-luc-edi-th-school-la-mot-trong-nhung-don-vi-di-dau-trong-ap-dung-triet-ly-hanh-phuc-2024112816333047.htm
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