Published Online:March 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Soft Skills
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJSS040325
DOI:10.71329/IUPJSS/2025.19.1.53-57
Author Name:Emmanuel Dumbuya
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Management
Download Format:PDF
Pages:53-57
This paper explores the integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into curriculum development as a key strategy for achieving holistic education. SEL focuses on cultivating essential life skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, relationship-building, and responsible decision-making, which are often neglected in traditional curricula. Drawing from educational theories, psychological research, and case studies from different educational systems, the paper highlights the profound impact of SEL on student wellbeing, academic success, and long-term social outcomes. The study emphasizes the need for a systematic incorporation of SEL into curriculum design, providing educators with the tools to foster emotional intelligence, resilience, and a sense of community within the classroom. The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations and practical strategies for schools, educators, and policymakers to ensure that SEL becomes an integral part of education systems worldwide.
The global educational landscape has seen a growing emphasis on academic performance, often at the expense of social and emotional development. However, the need for holistic education—an approach that nurtures the intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions of learners—is becoming increasingly recognized. Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a framework that addresses this need, focusing on the development of competencies such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making (CASEL, 2020).