In a first, happiness classes to begin in all MP schools
At least 3500 students have committed suicide in the past six years.
Bhopal: In a first of its kind move in the country, the Madhya Pradesh government has initiated steps to begin happiness classes in schools in the state to de-stress the students.
The newly-created happiness department of the state government has been assigned to prepare modules for such classes proposed to be held once in a week in all government and private schools in the state.
“The happiness department has begun the exercise to prepare modules to inspire positive thinking in students to help them lead a healthy and successful life in future. The move is primarily aimed at curbing the rising trend of suicides by school students following poor performances in the examinations”, a senior officer of the department told this newspaper here on Friday unwilling to be quoted.
According to him, around 100 programme themes have been shortlisted for preparation of modules. The themes included success stories in different fields, films, graphics, street plays, and sports.
“The schools will also be encouraged to prepare modules and train their staff to run classes on their modules. Besides, private individuals and institutions will also be allowed to produce such modules.
“A sum of Rs 20,000 will be paid to the author of each module”, the officer said, adding, “The department will hold the copy right of the module selected”.
Happiness classes will be held for students of class nine, ten and eleven of government and private schools.
However, it will not be mandatory for private schools to conduct such classes. They may avail the option of hiring trained government staff to hold such classes in their schools by paying a charge.
Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a disturbing trend of growing cases of suicides by school students due to poor performances in their examinations.
At least 3500 students have committed suicide in the past six years.
The state government has established an SOS call centre working round-the-clock during the period of announcement of results of class ten and twelve examinations to counsel students to help them overcome depression caused by poor results.