Government Mandates Yoga and Mental Wellness Classes in All Central Schools

The Union Education Ministry has issued a directive making yoga and mental wellness sessions mandatory in all Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas from the upcoming academic session. The initiative, named 'Swasth Mann, Swasth Vidyalay' (Healthy Mind, Healthy School), will introduce dedicated 40-minute wellness periods three times a week for all classes from 6th to 12th standard.

Programme Structure

The programme combines physical yoga practices with age-appropriate mental health education. For classes 6-8, the focus will be on basic yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and emotional literacy. Classes 9-10 will include stress management techniques and peer support skills, while classes 11-12 will cover exam anxiety management, career-related stress, and basic counseling awareness.

Over 15,000 teachers across Kendriya Vidyalayas will undergo a certified 200-hour training programme developed by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga. The training will be conducted in phases over the next six months, with online and offline components. Each school will also appoint a dedicated Wellness Coordinator responsible for monitoring students' mental health indicators.

"The mental health crisis among young people is real and growing. We cannot wait for students to reach a breaking point before intervening. Prevention through daily wellness practices must become as fundamental as mathematics or science," the Education Minister said.

The initiative has received support from child psychologists and education experts, though some have raised concerns about the quality of implementation given the scale. Private school associations have also expressed interest in adopting the programme, and the ministry has indicated that guidelines for private schools will be released by next quarter.