Abu Dhabi: ADEK launches Wellbeing Mark school recognition programme

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is launching the first-of-its-kind recognition programme across private and charter schools starting academic year 2025-26.

Wellbeing Mark has been designed to embed and sustain wellbeing in schools. The programme goes beyond academics to validate a culture of wellbeing. It will make wellbeing measurable and transparent.

According to ADEK, wellbeing is directly linked to student outcomes as research shows that students in supportive, nurturing environments perform better academically, develop stronger resilience, and engage more deeply in learning.

Higher teacher satisfaction

Schools that prioritise wellbeing see higher teacher satisfaction, lower burnout rates and more effective classroom engagement. Wellbeing is a prerequisite for strong academic outcomes.

The Wellbeing Mark offers an unprecedented level of transparency. For the first time, parents will have a clear, standardised measure of how well a school supports the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of students and teachers. They will know whether their child’s school is actively working to create a happier, healthier and more supportive learning environment.

The Wellbeing Mark is built on the SPIRE framework, which recognises five core dimensions of wellbeing: self-empowerment, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional. Each dimension is further broken down into three key elements, ensuring schools take a structured yet flexible approach to embedding wellbeing into everyday life.

Pilot phase

The pilot phase will be launched in 47 private schools and 17 charter schools this year, setting the stage for full-scale implementation in the next academic year. The pilot allows ADEK to refine the approach before full implementation, and ensures the final Wellbeing Mark is fair, comprehensive, and adaptable, with clear validation criteria to support meaningful change. This process will help shape an initiative that rewards schools for creating a school culture where wellbeing is actively prioritised.