Senior Lecturer Nadheema Abdul Sattar was awarded a research grant for the project titled “Evaluating the Impact and Challenges of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Implementation: A Mixed-Method Case Study of a Maldivian Public School.” The study examines the effectiveness, outcomes, and challenges associated with the implementation of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools, generating evidence to inform improvements in teaching practices, student well-being, and educational policies.

The research contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by promoting inclusive, learner-centred education and effective teaching approaches that respond to students’ academic and developmental needs. It supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by highlighting the role of SEL in strengthening students’ emotional, social, and interpersonal development and in fostering positive and supportive learning environments. The study also advances SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by promoting inclusive educational practices and supportive learning environments that respond to the diverse needs of learners. Furthermore, the research contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by generating evidence-based knowledge that can inform collaboration among educators, researchers, policymakers, and other education stakeholders in strengthening SEL implementation.

The study demonstrates the importance of evidence-based approaches to social and emotional learning and has the potential to contribute to the development of more holistic, inclusive, and supportive educational practices within the Maldivian school system.