
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…
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.
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.
Source: greaterkashmir.com
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