The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and UNESCO have announced an ambitious plan to expand wellness programmes to over 30,000 schools across India. This major initiative aims to reach nearly 15 million students and enhance their mental, physical, and emotional well-being through a comprehensive School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP). The programme’s latest milestone includes capacity-building workshops for principals, teachers, and school leaders from 22 states and 5 union territories, showing a nationwide commitment to student wellness.
The SHWP is part of the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat initiative and focuses on a proactive, holistic approach to health education. It trains teachers to become “Health and Wellness Ambassadors,” empowering them to address issues such as stress, bullying, nutrition, gender equality, and safe internet use in the classroom.
New Training Programmes and Teaching Materials
To implement the expanded wellness initiative, NCERT and UNESCO have developed a dedicated 24-hour curriculum, user-friendly training modules, and facilitator guides. These resources are available in English, Hindi, and nine additional regional languages, so that all students and teachers can participate, regardless of location. The curriculum covers 11 key wellness themes including emotional and mental well-being, reproductive health, nutrition, online safety, and the prevention of substance abuse. Teachers also have access to animated videos and comic books designed to make learning about wellness more engaging.
Since August 2022, more than 40,000 teachers have received specialized training through 754 capacity-building workshops. A core group of 970 “Master Trainers” has been developed to help roll out the programme in their schools and to train additional teachers, ensuring that wellness education becomes an integral part of the school experience.
Building a Healthier and Happier Generation
Officials highlight that good health and high-quality education go hand in hand. By making wellness a central part of school life, CBSE, NCERT, and UNESCO hope to support students in coping with everyday challenges and build resilience for the future. The National Education Policy 2020 strongly supports this approach, emphasizing the connection between learning, mental health, and social well-being.