Lok Sabha Question No. 941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Mental Well Being of Students in Schools
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Satpal Brahamchari, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 941 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## Mental Well Being of Students in Schools

## 941. Dr. Kirsan Namdeo: Shri Satpal Brahamchari:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to implement a framework for  mental  health  and  emotional  well-being  of  children  in  schools  under  New Education Policy(NEP);
- (b) whether it is mandatory for schools to appoint counsellors to ensure mental well being of students, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  mental  health  counsellors  have  not  been  appointed  by  many  private  and Government schools, if so, the reasons therefor and the reformative measures being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) the fund allocated by the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether the funds are arranged on the public-private sharing basis ; and
- (f) whether the Government has any proposal to launch comprehensive policy to ensure mental well being of the students in schools, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (f): Education is a subject in the concurrent list of the Constitution and a majority of  schools  are  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  respective  State  Government/UT administration. However, given the importance to Education, National Education Policy has been come into existence, which emphasizes the importance of creating awareness on mental health issues and reducing stress and promoting joyful learning. States and UTs are supported under  Samagra  Shiksha  based  on  the  proposals from  them  for  strengthening  of  existing government schools, and for creation and augmentation of infrastructure  facilities and also other activities viz., career guidance, mental health, self-defence etc. under Samagra Shiksha based on the proposals. Though it is not mandatory to keep counsellors, however, States/UTs and  all  management  schools  including  private  are  free  to  provide  this  facility  as  per  the requirement.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 takes a holistic view about the nourishment of children  and  their  mental  wellbeing  which  is  required  for  optimal  learning.  NEP  suggests multifarious ways to achieve the same. For the nourishment of the children, PM POSHAN Scheme is being implemented under which hot cooked meals are provided to the students studying  in  Balvatika  and  classes  I to VIII  in  the  Government  and  Government-aided Schools.  About  11.70  crore  students  studying  in  10.24  lakh  schools  have  been  benefitted under the scheme. During 2023-24, health check-up of about 8.64 crore students has been carried out by States and UTs under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). About 9.71 crore students received Iron & Folic Acid Supplementation (IFA) under Anaemia Mukta Bharat  and  about  8.50  crore  students  received  deworming  medicines  under  National Deworming Day (NDD) during 2023-24. IFA and de-worming tables helps for better health and good learning outcomes.

As per the perspective of NEP 2020, NCERT has developed and launched National Curriculum  Framework  for  the  Foundational  Stage  (NCF-FS)  and  National  Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). Both the NCFs integrate the mental well-being of  students  in  different  aspects  such  as  syllabi  development,  development  of  content  in learning and teaching material, pedagogical practices etc. The framework also lays emphasis on  the  role  of  all  stakeholders,  teachers,  school  functionaries,  parents  and  community members to ensure that every student is provided with mental and emotional support.

For  mental  health  and  wellbeing,  the  Government  has  launched  an  initiative, Manodarpan,  under  'AatmaNirbhar  Bharat  Abhiyaan'  on  21st  July,  2020,  with  the  aim  to provide psychosocial support to students, their families and teachers across the country, for mental health and well-being. A National toll-free tele-helpline (844-844-0632) for reaching out to students from schools, colleges and universities across the country seeking support on mental health concerns and other psychosocial issues. The services offered on the helpline are free of cost. Manodarpan also provides Directory of Counsellors working at both School and College/University level on (https://manodarpan.education.gov.in) as a resource for students. Live  interactive  sessions  called  as  'Sahyog'  are  organized  for  students  on  PM  eVidya Channels, with practicing counsellors and are held from Monday to Friday (from 05:00 pm05:30 pm) across different regions. These sessions can be viewed on PM eVidya Channels and 'NCERT Official' YouTube Channels (https://www.youtube.com/@NCERTOFFICIAL/streams).  The  total  'SAHYOG'  sessions held so far are 946 and more than 11 lakh viewers have been benefitted as on 27.11.2024. Live interactive webinars 'Paricharcha' (192 as on 26.11.2024) are organised every Friday from  2:30  to  4:00  pm.    These  sessions  address  various  mental  health  and  emotional  wellbeing  concerns  of  students,  parents  and  teachers.  Several  conferences,  orientations  and sessions have been held for school administrators and teachers to sensitize and orient them on factors causing  stress and  anxiety among  students  including  critical aspects such  as examinations,  academics,  results,  and  emotionally  challenging  situations  and  build  their understanding and enabling them towards managing these situations. Ministry of Education has  taken  several  initiatives  viz.,  Pariksha  Pe  Charcha  a  program  in  which  Hon'ble  Prime Minister interacts with students to help them to overcome examination stress and celebrate exams as Utsav. Other initiatives are Kala Utsav to show case student talent in performing arts and Bagless days to reduce pressure and promote joyful learning.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has launched Tele Mental Health  Assistance  and  Networking  Across  States  (Tele  MANAS)  a  toll-free  mental  health helpline that provides support and assistance to those struggling with mental health issues. Access  to  trained  and  accredited  mental  health  counsellors  is  available  24X7  across  the country on the helpline number (14416) or 1800-891-4416 to cater mental health and service available in 20 languages. It provides support and assistance to those struggling with mental health issues free of cost. As on 22.11.2024, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells  and  have  started  tele  mental  health  services.  More  than  15,95,000  calls  have  been handled on the helpline number.

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