International, English
Grounded in both science and philosophy, it recognizes happiness as both a means to and a goal of quality learning. Academic excellence and happiness are not mutually exclusive. Happiness can be a key lever for enhancing learning experiences and outcomes.
The initiative urges education authorities to prioritize happiness in education and scale up joyful learning practices from schools to policy levels, guided by UNESCO's global Happy Schools framework. The model comprises four pillars — people, process, place, and principles — and 12 high-level criteria for integrating happiness into education systems.
Level of Education: School
Lead Organisation: UNESCO
