CISCE launches 3-tier mental health plan for students in India

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has issued a circular to 3,300 affiliated schools for a three-tier engagement framework on student mental health, running from Oct 4 to Oct 31 ahead of World Mental Health Day. The initiative mandates weekly 40-45 minute classroom discussions for students in classes VI to XII, covering themes like academic stress, emotional well-being, digital life, substance abuse, and resilience. Schools must designate a teacher coordinator, and the council will publish top best-practice submissions in a national compendium. School principals and educators welcomed the structured plan, noting it addresses regular youth issues and lends extra weight to existing counseling efforts. The program aims to develop a Student Mental Health and Well-being Charter and a student well-being index from the discussions.