Rajasthan launches 'Khushishala' in 1,500 govt schools to boost student mental health and well-being
For years, school conversations have largely centred around marks, attendance and learning outcomes. Rajasthan is now trying to add another measure to that list: how children feel in the classroom.
The state has launched ' Khushishala ', a mental health and wellbeing programme for students of Classes 1 to 5 in around 1,500 government schools. Officials say Rajasthan is the first state in the country to introduce such a structured programme at the primary level.
Implemented by the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT), the initiative uses classroom activities to help children develop emotional resilience , social skills and life skills. But the programme is not aimed only at students.
Teachers at the centre
Under Khushishala, teachers undergo a three-day training programme followed by a 21-day audio-based course on emotional awareness, stress recognition, relationship building and wellbeing. Teacher handbooks and mobile-based resources have also been prepared to support classroom activities.
RSCERT Director Shweta Fagediya said, "Khushishala has made Rajasthan the first state in India to implement a mental health and well-being programme at the primary education level. The objective is to strengthen children's emotional resilience and social-emotional skills while equipping teachers to better understand and support students' emotional needs."
Pilot shaped the rollout
The programme follows a pilot conducted in Sirohi and Banswara districts in 2024.
According to Fagediya, the pilot involved 120 teachers and recorded a 53 per cent improvement in students' socio-emotional skills. Among girls, the improvement reached 69 per cent.
"The findings also indicated stronger teacher-student relationships and greater emotional development among children," she said, adding that the programme also helped reduce academic stress.
The state has launched ' Khushishala ', a mental health and wellbeing programme for students of Classes 1 to 5 in around 1,500 government schools. Officials say Rajasthan is the first state in the country to introduce such a structured programme at the primary level.
Implemented by the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT), the initiative uses classroom activities to help children develop emotional resilience , social skills and life skills. But the programme is not aimed only at students.
Teachers at the centre
Under Khushishala, teachers undergo a three-day training programme followed by a 21-day audio-based course on emotional awareness, stress recognition, relationship building and wellbeing. Teacher handbooks and mobile-based resources have also been prepared to support classroom activities.
RSCERT Director Shweta Fagediya said, "Khushishala has made Rajasthan the first state in India to implement a mental health and well-being programme at the primary education level. The objective is to strengthen children's emotional resilience and social-emotional skills while equipping teachers to better understand and support students' emotional needs."
Pilot shaped the rollout
The programme follows a pilot conducted in Sirohi and Banswara districts in 2024.
According to Fagediya, the pilot involved 120 teachers and recorded a 53 per cent improvement in students' socio-emotional skills. Among girls, the improvement reached 69 per cent.
"The findings also indicated stronger teacher-student relationships and greater emotional development among children," she said, adding that the programme also helped reduce academic stress.
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