Happy with this “Happiness” initiative!

Kautilya Government Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya. This might not be the most sought after school in Delhi but it is surely making a mark. And that too, being a Govt-run school.

Delhi Govt schools have got a complete overhaul and every day, it is very heart warming to read good things coming from these schools, which had actually been written off.

The first period for any school child is so boring. And to change that, bring back that zeal, all Govt schools in Delhi have their first period as – Happiness Class for children up to Class 8 for enhancing their mental and emotional well-being. This class has no grades, no textbooks and no homework. Kindergarten children have this class twice a week.

The Happiness Curriculum was rolled out by the Delhi government on July 2 in the presence of the Dalai Lama. Designed by a team of Delhi government teachers, educators, psychologists, volunteers, among others, the curriculum is being taught to about 10 lakh students in over 1,000 Delhi government schools across Delhi.

Over 18,000 teachers in these schools underwent a three-day orientation program. The Classes from 6th to 8th have four sections to their Happiness Class - ‘Mindfulness’, which includes mindful listening, sensory awareness, among others ; ‘Storytelling,’ which includes 20 stories, each story with its objective clearly spelt out on top of the page; ‘Activities’ aimed at teaching the meaning of happiness, competence; and ‘expression.’

Creating doctors, engineers and officers is not enough. We need to create happy human beings first. And it is simply great that Delhi Govt schools have taken this initiative and are ushering in a new wave. Wonder why other state-run Govt schools cannot emulate Delhi. Like the developed countries, even in India, hope a day comes when there is a clamor to get admitted into Govt schools, showing the private sector their true worth.