Authors

• Konu, Anne (University of Tampere. Tampere School of Public Health)

Keywords

bullying, educational facilities, health, parental encouragement, peer-group relationships, satisfaction, school classes, school-student relationship, schoolchildren, schools, secondary schools, social networks, teacher-student relationship

Abstract

The survey focused on school well-being in grades 7-9 in Finland, studying student opinions on school facilities, the learning environment, social relationships in school, and means for self-fulfilment in school, as well as the students' perceived health status. The survey contained both statements and multiple choice questions. The respondents indicated to what extent they agreed with the statements using a five-point scale (i.e. from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree").

School facilities were studied with a number of questions about the classroom (e.g. size, temperature, ventilation, desks), toilet facilities, the dining room, the schoolyard and the school building (e.g. safety, functionality). Access to and trust in the school nurse and the school welfare officer were charted as well as opinions on the school timetable. The statements relating to social relationships canvassed student-student relationships (e.g. classmate support, being accepted by others) and teacher-student relationships (e.g. fairness and friendliness of teachers). Parental attitudes to homework and school were studied. Views on the learning environment were probed with questions on help and encouragement received from teachers, group work in the classroom, access to remedial teaching or special education, and order in the classroom. In addition, the respondents were asked whether they had been bullied at school during the ongoing term and whether they themselves had bullied someone else.

The survey also studied whether student opinions were taken into account in developing the school and in drawing up school rules (school democracy), and whether teachers encouraged students to express their views. Views were probed on whether the respondents felt they could follow the lessons, concentrate on their work, keep up with homework, and whether they knew their weaknesses and strengths in school matters, appreciated their school work, felt there were subjects at school and school clubs that interested them, had found a study method that suited them, and whether the pace of the lessons was suitable for them. Regarding health, the respondents were asked about their perceived general health and whether they had had various symptoms (e.g. stomach ache, sleeping problems, headache, depression, anxiety) during the ongoing term.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, grade, and class id.