Lok Sabha Question No. 5243 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-03
Subject: Budget Allocation/Mental Well-Being of Students under NEP 2020
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5243 ANSWERED ON 03.04.2023

## Budget Allocation/Mental Well-Being of Students under NEP 2020

## 5243.   SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Budget allocation for Education sector is sufficient to implement all provisions of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020;

(b) if not, whether the Government has any alternative plan to achieve it;

(c) whether there is any provision for mandating for counsellor comprehensive policy to ensure the mental well-being of the enrolled students under NEP 2020; and

(d) if so, the detail thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a)  and  (b):  National  Education  Policy  2020  (NEP)  unequivocally  endorses  and  envisions  a substantial  increase  in  public  investment  in  education  by  both  the  Central  and  all  State Governments. The Centre and the States / UTs work together to increase the public investment in Education sector to reach 6% of GDP. Various schemes/projects/programmes run by Ministry of Education  have  been  aligned  with  NEP  2020.  As  far  as  Central  Government  is  concerned,  a budget  provision  of  Rs.  112899.47  Cr.  has  been  made  for  the  Ministry  of  Education  for  the financial year 2023-24.

(c) and (d): The Ministry of Education has undertaken a proactive initiative, named, 'Manodarpan', covering a wide range of activities to provide psychosocial support to students, teachers and families for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing during the COVID outbreak and beyond. A Working Group, having experts from the fields of education, mental health and psychosocial issues as its members, has been set up to monitor and promote the mental health issues and concerns of students and to facilitate providing support to address the mental health and  psychosocial  aspects  during  and  after  COVID-19,  through  counselling  services,  online resources and helpline. Under the Manodarpan initiative a Web page (URL: http://manodarpan.education.gov.in)  has  been  created  on  the  Ministry  of  Education  website carrying advisory guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Practical tips, posters, videos, do's  and  don'ts  for  students,  teachers/faculty  and  families  for  psychosocial  support  have  been uploaded on the Web-page. Handbook on Mental Health & Wellbeing- A perspective; Handbook on 21st century skills for school students and a national level directory of counsellors have been uploaded  on  the  Manodarpan  web  page.  Regular  Webinars  are  organized  under  the  aegis  of Manodarpan on mental health and wellbeing of children.

A  National  Toll-free  Helpline  (8448440632)  for  a  country-wide  outreach  to  students  from schools, colleges and universities to provide them tele-counselling to address their mental health and psychosocial issues during and after the COVID-19 situation has been set up.

NCERT has started 'NCERT Counselling Services for School Chidren' in  April  2020  to  help school students across the country share their concerns. This service is provided free of charge by about 270 counsellors across different regions of the country.

Under  the  aegis  of  the  School  Health  Programme  under  Ayushman  Bharat,  NCERT  has developed a comprehensive package titled 'Training and Resource Material: Health and Wellness of School-going Children'. A specific module has been included on 'Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health', which has activities related to the mental health and well-being of students and teachers.

The  University  Grants  Commission  issued  advisories  to  the  Universities  in  April  2020  and January  2023  regarding  Mental  Health  &  Well-Being  of  Students  during  and  after  COVID-19 outbreak  and  National  Suicide  Prevention  Strategy  respectively.  From  time  to  time,  UGC  in consultation with stakeholders, update the guidelines for Promotion of Physical Fitness, Sports, Students'  Health,  Welfare,  Pscyhological  and  Emotional  Well-Being  at  Higher  Educational Institutions.

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