# SCERT-J&K releases handbook on holistic student well-being 2026-08-22T22:29:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Guidance and Counselling Cell of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Jammu and Kashmir, has released a Handbook on Holistic Student Well-being. Education Minister Sakina Itoo unveiled the handbook at a function held alongside a science exhibition. The handbook aims to promote a more humane, psychologically informed and inclusive approach to student development. Developed in line with the National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework 2023, the handbook covers cognitive, emotional, social, ethical, physical and practical dimensions of child development. It addresses school mental health, life skills, psychological approaches to learning and behaviour, classroom-based intervention strategies, and the roles of teachers, parents and the community. Teachers are encouraged to observe students for signs of emotional or behavioural difficulties but are not expected to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The handbook addresses a gap in J&K's school system, where teachers often lack structured guidance on mental health. It stops short of requiring formal training or referral protocols, which would require coordination with the health department. The next step is whether SCERT-J&K will train master trainers across all districts to roll out the handbook in classrooms. Without that, the document risks remaining a reference rather than a tool. ## Coverage - greaterkashmir.com Straightforward reporting of the handbook's release and contents without evaluative language. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Jammu and Kashmir, National Curriculum Framework 2023, National Education Policy 2020, Sakina Itoo, SCERT Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/scert-jk-releases-handbook-on-holistic-student-well-being/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/scert-jk-releases-handbook-on-holistic-student-well-being/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/