Why India needs a wellbeing curriculuminevery school

Every morning, nearly 250 million children step into schools in India.

- SARAH BERRY

These schools are not only places where children learn to read and write, but also where they spend a large part of their childhood.

This is where they begin to understand themselves and the world around them. For many, however, classrooms are also where stress, fear, anxiety, and the pressures of life beyond their age quietly shape their day.

Think: If a child arrives with a restless mind or a heavy heart, how can they focus, ask questions, or engage in class? How can they truly show up and learn effectively?

Learning does not happen in a vacuum. It is deeply intertwined with a child’s mental health and well-being. Their inner state determines how they pay attention, interact with peers, and respond to challenges. Feeling safe and understood is what allows them to participate, to speak up, or to try something new. Schools, therefore, have a role far beyond academics. They can equip children with the social and emotional skills that make learning possible.

On World Mental Health Day 2025, India faces a critical question. How can school-based support systems strengthen not just learning, but the mental health and well-being of an entire generation?

The cost of neglecting well-being