Abstract

This study examines effects of a schoolyard intervention on primary school children’s perceived motivation, exploration, peer-relation, teaching and learning in Bangladesh. 43% of the children in developing countries grow with poorer mental development. More than 21% of children leave primary school before completion in Bangladesh which negatively influences their mental well-being. The study adopted a quasi-experimental action evaluation strategy to investigate the role of an improved school landscape on children’s subjective well-being. A Government primary school ground in Bangladesh was co-designed and developed which was used as a context and tool for formal teaching and informal play. The intervention included participatory design and development of the school ground, use of the school ground for learning of formal curriculum and also for informal play that took place between November 2014 and May 2015. Focus groups discussion were conducted with children (n=29), teachers (n=11) and parents (n=6) both before and after the intervention in order to understand whether and how a designed environment can have an impact on children’s teaching, learning and well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers (n=2) who led children outdoors for teaching of science and mathematics. The findings suggest that the new schoolyard offered increased opportunities for exploration of the environment, physical activity and interaction with peers which positively influenced children’s well-being.