Rajasthan became the first state in India to launch a structured mental health and well-being programme for primary school students with the introduction of 'Khushi Shala' by the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT). The programme targets students in Classes 1–5 and aims to build emotional resilience, help children handle success and failure, and promote mindfulness, compassion, and self-discovery. Specialised handbooks for Classes 1–5 have been developed in collaboration with Kshamtalaya Foundation and Brio, a US-based non-profit. The programme was piloted in 2024 in 30 schools each in Sirohi and Banswara districts with 120 trained teachers. The full rollout targets training 40 master trainers per district, scaling to approximately 12,000 teachers statewide. Key components include mindfulness exercises, compassion-development activities, and guided self-discovery sessions. The initiative addresses the growing concerns around student mental health, exam stress, and social-emotional learning deficits in India's primary education system. Khushi Shala is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which emphasises holistic development and well-being in school education.
Rajasthan Launches 'Khushi Shala' — First State in India to Introduce Structured Mental Health Programme in Primary Schools
Rajasthan became the first state in India to launch a structured mental health and well-being programme for primary school students with the introduction of 'Khushi Shala' by the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT). The programme targets students in Classes 1–5 and aims to build emotional resilience, help children handle success and failure, and promote mindfulness, compassion, and self-discovery. Specialised handbooks for Classes 1–5 have been developed in collaboration with Kshamtalaya Foundation and Brio, a US-based non-profit. The programme was piloted in 2024 in 30 schools each in Sirohi and Banswara districts with 120 trained teachers. The full rollout targets training 40 master trainers per district, scaling to approximately 12,000 teachers statewide. Key components include mindfulness exercises, compassion-development activities, and guided self-discovery sessions. The initiative addresses the growing concerns around student mental health, exam stress, and social-emotional learning deficits in India's primary education system. Khushi Shala is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which emphasises holistic development and well-being in school education.
Key facts
- Rajasthan became India's first state to launch a structured mental health programme in primary schools.
- The 'Khushi Shala' programme by RSCERT targets students in Classes 1–5.
- It promotes emotional resilience, mindfulness, compassion, and self-discovery among children.
- Piloted in 2024 in 30 schools each in Sirohi and Banswara with 120 trained teachers.
- Full rollout targets approximately 12,000 teachers across all districts.
- The programme aligns with NEP 2020's emphasis on holistic development.
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Which of the following is correctly associated with Rajasthan's Khushishala programme?
Khushishala is a Rajasthan initiative implemented through the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training. It targets students in Classes 1 to 5 and focuses on emotional well-being, social-emotional learning, resilience and life skills through activity-based classroom work.
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'Khushi Shala' programme and who launched it?
'Khushi Shala' is a structured mental health and well-being programme for primary school students (Classes 1–5), launched by the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT).
Why is Rajasthan's 'Khushi Shala' historically significant at the national level?
Rajasthan became the first state in India to introduce a structured mental health programme in primary schools, making 'Khushi Shala' a pioneering initiative in school mental health policy.
Where was 'Khushi Shala' piloted, and how many teachers were trained in the pilot phase?
'Khushi Shala' was piloted in 2024 in 30 schools each in Sirohi and Banswara districts, with 120 teachers trained during the pilot phase.
What is the full rollout target for the 'Khushi Shala' programme?
The full rollout aims to train approximately 12,000 teachers across all districts of Rajasthan.
How does 'Khushi Shala' align with national education policy?
'Khushi Shala' aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's emphasis on holistic development of children, going beyond academic achievement to nurture emotional resilience, mindfulness, and self-discovery.
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