Positive Education at the Cross Roads: Important Sign Points for Going in the Right Direction

Abstract

Interest in positive psychology and its application in positive education have grown exponentially over the last ten years. This interest is fueled by the inspirational promise that positive education offers to not only inoculate children and young people against mental illness but also teach them the life skills that contribute to greater happiness and resilience. The appeal of positive education is that almost all children around the world go to school so all children globally can potentially benefit. Children are every country’s future so this hopeful message for positive education is potentially transformative. Hence the ‘Why’ for positive educational initiatives is readily communicated and is capturing the imagination of school administrators, teachers and parents globally. The recent growth in international positive educational networks (http://www.ipositive-education.net) and national networks (such as Australia’s positive education in schools network www.pesa.org.au) illustrates the growing enthusiasm for positive education. However, the ‘How’ in terms of the best ways to effectively translate the key principles of positive psychology in school education is less clear-cut.