A Study on the Multiple Effects of School Renovation on Students, Teachers, Schools and Local Community

This study explored what impacts can be brought to students, teachers, schools, and community by the improvement of physical environment of school spaces. For the purpose, we studied 5 schools (2 elementary and 3 middle schools) who took part in the Happy School Project funded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 2008. Ten series of Focus Group Interviews were carried out with a sample of 28 students and 20 teachers who experienced both before and after the school renovation project. The analysis of the interview data revealed that although the project was concerned with a part of school space such as restroom or reading room, it could bring multiple effects such as following: First, the students addressed that they felt about school environment, which led them to feel good about their schools. This change was found out to bring about more positive attitudes towards a school in general, public manners, peer relationships, emotional well-being, and learning. Second, the teachers became to value more their principals' leadership, being more satisfied with their work environment and more concerned about management of school facilities, and happier with students in terms of teaching and guidance than before. Third, all the 5 schools seem to go through a noticeable change in terms of a school climate and ethos in a more positive and harmonious way. Finally, 'spread', 'promotion', and 'openness' effects were discussed with regard to the relationships between the schools and local community.