More than eight in ten students across UAE schools feel connected, supported and positively engaged in their school environments, according to new findings from Peekapak, an award-winning edtech and student wellbeing platform. The results highlight strong cultures of belonging, kindness and wellbeing being fostered across schools in the region.
Peekapak’s recent UAE Wellbeing Surveys provide insights into how students and teachers experience and perceive wellbeing, offering schools data-driven guidance to strengthen supportive learning environments.
Insights from UAE Wellbeing Surveys
The surveys were conducted and validated among elementary and secondary students and their teachers in 20 UAE schools. They explored wellbeing across four domains aligned to the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge Student Wellbeing Framework.
Students were asked to reflect on a series of statements using a Likert scale ranging from “not at all” to “definitely”, indicating how closely each statement resonated with their lived experience. Teachers responded to parallel statements using the same scale to reflect their perceptions of student wellbeing.
Strong Relational Wellbeing Across Schools
Across the surveyed schools, the strongest signals of wellbeing emerged in areas that are shared, relational and outwardly expressed. Students consistently reported positive sentiment in ADEK-aligned items such as positive atmosphere, communication, supportive relationships and kindness.
Between 83 and 86 percent of students responded favourably to relational ADEK items, with teacher perceptions closely mirroring these results. These indicators remained relatively stable from elementary through to secondary school, highlighting the consistency of relational wellbeing across age groups.
Internal Wellbeing Shows Greater Variation
In contrast, areas of wellbeing linked to students’ inner experiences and self-directed growth showed more varied responses. These included self-management, meaning and purpose, deep learning, self-regulation and cultivating happiness.
Approximately 68 to 78 percent of students reported favourable responses to these internal ADEK items. Declines were most evident during the transition from elementary to secondary schooling, a period often marked by increased academic and developmental complexity.
While sentiment across all areas remained generally positive, the findings suggest that internal dimensions of wellbeing can be more challenging to sustain and observe. These quieter aspects may benefit from deeper listening and structured opportunities for reflection within school settings.
Trusted Data Supporting School Wellbeing Strategies
Now adopted by 50 percent of Abu Dhabi charter schools and institutions such as Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Peekapak’s wellbeing surveys are trusted by school leaders to inform strategic decisions and strengthen wellbeing initiatives. Dr. Jenna Santyr, Director of Education at Peekapak said,
“UAE schools are clearly nurturing strong cultures of kindness, belonging, and connection and play a significant role in this. At the same time, the data reminds us that some dimensions of wellbeing are quieter and harder to observe. By prioritizing kindness and healthy lifestyle and creating a space for students to express how they are managing motivation, purpose, and emotional balance is an important part of supporting their growth over time and shaping their future, allowing them to be happier and healthier while also developing the skills and resilience they need that will benefit them long-term.”
Wellbeing as a Shared Experience and Personal Journey
Taken together, the results reinforce the importance of viewing wellbeing as both a shared school experience and an internal personal journey. UAE schools that cultivate kindness, supportive relationships and healthy habits are helping students thrive emotionally, socially and physically, while equipping them with essential skills for long-term success.
Note: Results reflect aggregated responses to Likert-scale survey items aligned to ADEK wellbeing items. Percentages represent the proportion of respondents indicating positive sentiment “mostly” or “definitely” and do not imply causation.
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