Can social-emotional learning programs be adapted to schools in Pakistan? A literature review

ABSTRACT Growing research suggests that a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum in school has a positive impact on students’ emotional and academic learning. However, schools in Pakistan face multiple challenges for fostering social-emotional skills due to lack of awareness of the existence and benefits of SEL programs, inadequate funding in public schools, absence of motivation in private schools, and lack of teacher training. Several SEL programs have been adapted to different countries and diverse populations worldwide with promising results. But there is limited research on the applicability of these programs in Pakistani schools and in countries with similar cultural and educational context. We conducted a literature review on studies published between 2000 and 2019 to search for SEL programs applicable to schools in Pakistan. Nineteen studies were identified with SEL programs including PATHS, Second Step, Strong Kids, and Lions Quest. These programs were then evaluated based on their ease of adaptation and implementation and cost effectiveness to elementary schools in Pakistan. Results support the applicability of PATHS based on all the evaluation criteria. Implications and considerations for the adaptation of PATHS in elementary schools in Pakistan are discussed.