CBSE rolls out counselling model, focus on holistic development

Alongside the routine curriculum, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started placing greater emphasis on the counselling of students — not only career guidance, but also overall counselling aimed at fostering peer learning, capacity-building and the sharing of best practices. The initiative extends beyond students because teachers and parents are also set to be included in the monthly counselling sessions that will be conducted by the board.

As per the CBSE’s recent directions, the National Education Policy, 2020, underlines the importance of mental health and well-being. To translate this vision into action, the CBSE has introduced the counselling hub and spoke school model, focusing on strengthening socio-emotional learning practices and establishing a strong mental health support system.

Harmit Kaur Waraich, Principal, Nankana Sahib Public School, said the new guidelines, introduced in August, were still relatively unknown to many school managements. “The objective of the counselling is to make schools places where every child feels safe, seen and supported, where students feel confident and dream without fear. This is an effort by the board to build and shape a more compassionate and capable generation,” she said.

The CBSE counselling guide has been divided into four key sections. For students, there will be activities to build resilience, fitness, friendships and mindfulness. For teachers, ideas to manage stress and reconnect with self and peers will be shared. Additionally, they will be taught practices to find joy in teaching. For parents, ways to strengthen the home–school partnership and support the child’s journey shall be shared. For other stakeholders, there will be initiatives to nurture dignity, respect, emotional well-being and workplace happiness.

Dr Vandana Shahi, Principal, BCM School, added that the ultimate goal was to foster a culture of care, empathy and shared well-being. “It is an effort by the CBSE to make schools not just centres of education but also communities of care,” she said.

In this direction, BCM School, Dugri, hosted a CBSE parenting workshop for principals and counsellors today.

The workshop aimed to equip educators with insights on positive parenting approaches to foster well-being and resilience among students.

135 distinguished school principals from across the region converged, forming a platform for professional interaction and exchange. The session was conducted by acclaimed educationists Minakshi Khushwaha (Principal, Birla Vidya Niketan, New Delhi) and Anuradha Joshi (Principal, Sardar Patel Vidyala, New Delhi), who delivered thought-provoking insights into the implementation of the Parenting Calendar 2025–26. The programme commenced with a gracious welcome address by Dr Shahi, emphasising the importance of understanding holistic education and addressing the socio-emotional needs of students in today’s dynamic environment.

The informative workshop featured interactive group discussions, case-based activities and detailed explorations of practical strategies to promote supportive learning environments both at school and at home. Moreover, it provided strategies to involve parents in the teaching-learning process, recognising that active parental involvement enhanced a child’s educational experience. In addition to this, the workshop stressed the importance of encouraging inclusion of parents in school activities and decision-making processes where appropriate, which in turn fosters a collaborative environment between parents and educators for the benefit of the child.