Educational significance

A positive learning and teaching environment is important if students are to succeed in school. The existence of a positive school is there when all stakeholders of the community feel safe, included, and accepted.  The principles of equity and inclusive education are in the DNA of the culture and insistence of mutual respect. A positive school climate is important and vital to prevent toxic behaviour.

The following are some of the characteristics associated with a positive school climate:

• All stakeholders from students, staff members, and parents feel accepted, included and safe.
• All stakeholders show respect, kindness, and fairness towards one another free from discrimination and harassment.
• Students are supported and encouraged to be role models and speak about bullying and discrimination.
• There is open dialogue among students, principals, staff members, parents, and community members. 
• In the curriculum, inclusive education and principles of equity are embedded.
• Diversity is celebrated and accepted and reflected in the teaching materials.
• Every student is inspired and given support to succeed in an environment of high expectations.

Economic Welfare

The economic welfare of students is not only income but also educational attainment, financial security, and social status. It is the quality of life, opportunities, and privileges to the student in society (Bergen et. al., 2016).

The social-economic status impacts the physical and mental health of the student. North America is showing inequities in health distribution, quality of life and distribution of resources (Blustein, 2013).

Children from low economic status communities develop slower academic skills. The schools in these neighbourhoods are under-resourced and result in high drop out. There is already a gap in literacy in children from various economic backgrounds (Brown et. al., 2016).

Children in low-income schools have less qualified teachers and fewer library resources (Brown et. al., 2016).