Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an educational framework that helps individuals—particularly students—develop essential life skills to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, set goals, show empathy, and make responsible decisions. As education systems worldwide shift focus from purely academic outcomes to holistic development, SEL has emerged as a key component in nurturing emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, and mentally resilient learners. SEL encompasses five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These competencies are critical for students’ success both in school and beyond. Incorporating SEL into the classroom improves students’ emotional well-being, behavior, and academic performance. Research shows that students engaged in effective SEL programs demonstrate improved classroom behavior, increased motivation to learn, reduced emotional distress, and higher academic achievement. Teachers play a central role in promoting SEL by modeling positive behaviors, fostering inclusive classroom environments, and integrating emotional literacy into subject teaching. When embedded into the school curriculum, SEL provides a safe space for children to express themselves, understand others' perspectives, resolve conflicts peacefully, and build empathy and cooperation. Moreover, SEL contributes significantly to creating a supportive school climate that reduces bullying, aggression, and dropout rates. With rising mental health concerns among youth, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, SEL has gained renewed importance. It supports the emotional recovery of students, helping them cope with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. In multicultural and diverse classrooms, SEL promotes respect for differences and helps in the development of global citizenship values. However, effective implementation of SEL requires trained educators, supportive policies, and consistent evaluation methods. Challenges include lack of teacher preparedness, resistance from stakeholders, and insufficient integration into educational standards. Therefore, SEL must be treated not as an additional subject, but as a foundational aspect of schooling integrated across all grade levels and learning domains. This paper explores the theoretical basis, practical implementation, and long-term benefits of social and emotional teaching and learning. It emphasizes the need for an inclusive, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate SEL framework that supports students’ academic, emotional, and social growth. Strengthening SEL in education systems is not just a pedagogical necessity—it is a moral and social imperative to build compassionate, competent, and conscious citizens.