Happiness classes likely in Uttarakhand schools from July

Taking a cue from Delhi schools, the Uttarakhand education department will introduce ‘happiness classes’ as a part of its motto ‘Government School, Happy School,’ from July onwards.

Taking a cue from Delhi schools, the Uttarakhand education department will introduce ‘happiness classes’ as a part of its motto ‘Government School, Happy School,’ from July onwards.

Taking a cue from Delhi schools, the Uttarakhand education department will introduce ‘happiness classes’ as a part of its motto ‘Government School, Happy School,’ from July onwards. (Sanchit Khanna/HT file)

“Due to (Election Commission’s) model code of conduct, we cannot start happiness classes when the school reopens in April. So we are planning to introduce the classes from the next academic session,” said Seema Jaunsari, director, Academic, Research and Training at the education department.

“Hopefully, we will be ready with the course with all the necessary inputs from our counterparts in Delhi by July,” said Jaunsari speaking at a national seminar on ‘Quality Issues in School Education’ on Monday.

Earlier, addressing the delegates, R Meenakshi Sundaram, secretary school education, emphasised the need to focus on quality education instead of boosting enrollment rates to achieve quantity.

“There is a need to brainstorm and come up with ideas to improve the quality of education. Our focus on quantity for so long has hampered the aspect of quality,” said Sundaram.

“Education for all has been nearly achieved but the quality has dropped,” said Sundaram.

The need of the hour is a quantum jump and not an incremental progress in quality over several years, which state education department keeps mapping through various initiatives like Mission Koshish and monthly tests, said the education secretary.

The seminar was attended by educational heads from various states including Delhi, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The delegates also shared their views on various educational reforms.