Authors

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

Keywords

bullying, educational facilities, health, parental encouragement, primary schools, satisfaction, school classes, school-student relationship, schoolchildren, schools, social networks, teacher-student relationship

Abstract

The survey focused on school well-being in grades 4-6 in Finland, studying pupil opinions on school facilities, the learning environment, social relationships in school, and means for self-fulfilment in school, as well as the pupils' 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 three-point scale (i.e. "agree", "neither agree nor disagree" and "disagree").

School facilities were studied with a number of questions about the classroom (e.g. size, temperature), toilet facilities, the dining room, the schoolyard and the school building (e.g. safety, functionality). Opinions on the school timetable and access to the school nurse were charted. The statements relating to social relationships canvassed pupil-pupil relationships (e.g. classmate support, having friends at school) and teacher-pupil relationships. 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 teachers listened to pupils and whether pupils' opinions were taken into account when school rules were decided (school democracy). Views were probed on whether the pace of the lessons was suitable, whether the respondents felt they could follow the lessons and keep up with homework, whether they considered school work important, and whether they felt there were subjects at school and school clubs that interested 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, and anxiety) during the ongoing term.

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