The Safe Learning Environment in the United Arab Emirates Schools and Its Relationship to the Development of Creative Thinking Among Students

Mohammad Salman AlKhaza’leh (College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi,)
Bilal F. Obeidat (College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi,)
Samer Abdel-Hadi (College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi,)
Reema Al Qaruty (General Education Department, University of Dubai, Dubai,)

Emerging Science Journal
Vol 7 (2023): Special Issue "Current Issues, Trends, and New Ideas in Education"

The study aimed to assess the relationship between a safe learning environment in Emirati schools and the development of student's creative thinking. Using a descriptive method with stratified random sampling, the researchers selected a sample of 500 male and female teachers. Two questionnaires were employed: one assessing the safe learning environment (20 items) and another measuring creative thinking (20 items). Results indicated a high teacher perception of a safe learning environment, with statistically significant chi-square values for all items. Similarly, teachers perceived a high level of creative thinking development, with significant chi-square values for all items. Gender and experience did not show statistically significant differences in the perception of a safe learning environment. However, teachers with over 10 years of experience demonstrated higher levels of creative thinking development. Notably, a significant correlation was found between a safe learning environment and the development of students' creative thinking in Emirati schools. This study aligns with the UAE Ministry of Education's mission to create a safe and creative educational system that meets the needs of a globally competitive knowledge society. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-014 Full Text: PDF