Delhi students cheer new 'happiness class' in schools

New programme helps students manage stress, balance studies with emotional well-being

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Children in Indian schools often suffer from an early burnout from stress, to the point of suicide. To help the pupils manage stress, the Delhi government has launched a "happiness curriculum”.
Students attending a "Happiness Curriculum" class in a New Delhi school two weeks ago. The programme was launched in Delhi schools last month to help students cope with stress. Under the programme, students get to put away their books for half an hou
Students attending a "Happiness Curriculum" class in a New Delhi school two weeks ago. The programme was launched in Delhi schools last month to help students cope with stress. Under the programme, students get to put away their books for half an hour each day and listen to stories, play games and try meditation exercises. ST PHOTO: DEBARSHI DASGUPTA
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Alishan shut his eyes, his arms outstretched on his desk in class. He was not dozing off on the sly but participating in an exercise mandated for the class.

"Straighten your back, not too firm... relaxed," his teacher instructed him and other Grade VII - the equivalent to Secondary 1 - students in the Delhi government school. "Now try and listen attentively to any sound that is coming in from outside," the teacher added.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 23, 2018, with the headline Delhi students cheer new 'happiness class' in schools. Subscribe