Integrating Social Emotional Learning in School Curriculum: Importance, Challenges and Barriers Towards Implementation – A Qualitative Study in Selected Schools in Bangladesh

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is becoming increasingly recognized as an important component of holistic education, promoting the development of essential competencies that contribute to students' overall well-being and academic success. This qualitative study used an ethnographic approach to investigate teachers' and educational leaders' perceptions and experiences with the importance, barriers, and strategies for incorporating SEL into the school curriculum in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The study was conducted in two English-speaking international schools with 24 participants, including teachers and educators. Personalized questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data, which was then analyzed using thematic analysis. The study looked at teachers' perceptions of the role of SEL in students'overall development, the challenges of incorporating SEL into the curriculum, and strategies forover coming implementation barriers. The findings revealed several key themes, including students' perceptions of SEL's benefits in fostering collaboration, confidence, self-awareness, empathy, and problem-solving skills. The study also identified challenges, such as limited resource allocation, cultural barriers,underdeveloped SEL curricula, and gaps in teachers' ability to deliver SEL content effectively.Parental involvement, cultural adaptation, activity-based learning, and comprehensive teacher training, and modeling desired behaviors were among the strategies employed to address these challenges. The study adds to our understanding of the complexities involved in implementing culturally responsive SEL programs in educational settings, particularly in South Asian countries such as Bangladesh. This study's findings can help to shape and implement effective SEL initiatives that promote students' holistic development while taking into account the unique cultural, social, and economic contexts.