A fuzzy Delphi-AHP framework for identifying and prioritizing factors affecting students’ satisfaction in public high schools: Insights from the United Arab Emirates

The aim of this investigation is to identify and prioritize factors impacting students' contentment in public high schools within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study employs a mixed-method research approach through a framework integrating fuzzy Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This facilitates explicit prioritization of factors, leading to dependable results. The study reveals that the most critical factors influencing students' satisfaction in public high schools in the UAE are the assessment method and various support services, such as cafeteria facilities, availability of administrative personnel during office hours, and pertinent information in the curriculum. Additionally, an appealing learning environment, convenient transportation, IT support, and teachers' role especially friendliness/approachability also play vital roles. Though the study's findings may not be universally applicable, they hold potential as a valuable reference for broader applications across diverse educational sectors and geographic locations. Consequently, these research outcomes provide deeper insights into students' satisfaction, enabling public high school administrations to develop comprehensive guidelines for optimizing services offered to their students.