The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced additional Capacity Building Programmes (CBPs) to support the mandatory implementation of Skill Education for Classes 6 to 8.
If your school is preparing skill-based learning, this circular directly impacts your next steps.
Here’s a simple and practical breakdown.
CBSE circular on student mental health initiatives
CBSE To Promote Mental Health and Wellness and Social Emotional (SEL) Learning in Schools
With the aim of better understanding students’ mental health and providing appropriate support, CBSE has decided to comply with the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. To ensure effective implementation across all schools, CBSE has outlined the following measures:
- All teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo mandatory training at least twice a year, conducted by certified mental health professionals. The training will cover psychological first aid, recognising warning signs, responding to self-harm, and understanding the referral process.
- Schools should regularly organise awareness programmes for parents and guardians on students’ mental health. These programmes should guide them to avoid putting undue academic pressure on children, help them recognise signs of emotional distress, and encourage them to respond with empathy and support.
- Further, mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education, and awareness of institutional support services shall be integrated into student orientation programmes.
- The school shall maintain anonymous records and prepare a report noting the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and mental well being related activities.
- Schools are directed to priortise extra-curricular activities, like sports, arts, and personality development initiatives. The examination pattern should be periodically reviewed to cultivate a broader sense of identity beyond test scores and ranks.
- Schools must provide students and parents/guardians with regular career counselling services by a counsellor. These services must aim at reducing unrealistic academic pressure, promotes various careers, and assist students in making informed career decisions.
- Such counselling sessions must be inclusive and sensitive to social, economic and psychological matters and must not reinforce narrow definitions of merit or success.
Capacity Building Programmes for Promoting Mental Health and Wellness
These Capacity Building Programmes must be conducted twice a year for six hours each. The first CBP shall be conducted to promote Mental Health and Wellness, while the second CBP to promote Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
These Capacity Building Programmes are offered through CBSE’s portal. Click here to view the portal.
Objectives Of The New Capacity Building Programmes
The objectives of these programmes is to empower teachers and school staff with the required skills to:
- Build a safe, supportive, and empathetic school environment where students can grow academically, emotionally, and socially.
- Help school staff understand their important role in protecting student mental health and equip them with the right knowledge and skills.
- Increase awareness about the legal and professional services available to promote student well-being.
- Set up effective school-based mental health support systems with clearly defined roles for all stakeholders.
- Guidelines for teachers on how to integrate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into everyday subject teaching.
- Develop practical action plans to implement SEL practices that support students’ emotional well-being and academic success.
Important Instructions Pertaining to CBPs in Schools
- Schools are advised to select teachers and staff who regularly interact with students, so that the learning from the training can be effectively applied in everyday school practices.
- Principals and school heads are requested to actively support this initiative and ensure timely nominations. They must ensure that the school environment prioritises mental health and ensures that every student thrives.
Conclusion
Skill Education in middle school is no longer a future goal, it’s a priority. The newly announced Capacity Building Programmes are designed to ensure that schools move beyond awareness and towards confident classroom execution. Schools are advised to mandatory ensure these programmes in order to intellectual growth, emotional resilience, and psychological well-being among students.
Source
Official Notice by CBSE, 20 February, 2026: click here to read.
Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per CBSE, Education Ministry, and Government of India.
