Madhya Pradesh wants to introduce 'happiness' as a school subject
The introduction of the new subject matter follows a rise in suicides among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We want to strengthen our future generation mentally,” education minister said.
Bhopal (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Madhya Pradesh plans to introduce anand, i.e., happiness, as a school subject, Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar recently announced. the initiative.
Noting a rise in suicides among students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the new policy is designed “to strengthen our future generation mentally,” the minister explained.
The state, which is ruled by Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), set up a happiness department four years ago, which produced a special syllabus for students.
Anand will be incorporate in the curriculum as a separate subject for 9th to 12th grade students.
Teachers will follow a special training programme to “change the lifestyle of students” so that they can “understand their inner strength to fight against a materialistic life.”
Madhya Pradesh is the second Indian state after Maharashtra in terms of student suicides. The number of suicides rose by 15 per cent in 2020 to 235.
“Before COVID-19 three out of 10 students needed psychological help, but after [the start of] COVID-19, seven out of 10 need it,” said Dr Satyakant Trivedi, a psychiatrist.
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