New Delhi
Even as the Delhi government is celebrating five years of its “Happiness Curriculum” in government schools and has claimed that the innovative concept has been successful in the last five years, The Sunday Guardian spoke to students and parents to find out if there was any substance in the government’s claims. On balance, the reactions that this paper received can at best be described as “mixed”.
Delhi government schools celebrated the “Happiness Saptah” or “Happiness Week” (Utsav) from 24-29 July to mark the 5th anniversary of the launch of the “Happiness Curriculum”. In this “Happiness Utsav”, students from nursery to class VIII took part. Four distinct “forms of mindfulness” were conducted in the morning assembly. There was role play by the students of classes III to V on 28 July and by the students of classes VI to VIII on 29 July. The students of classes III to V decorated “Happiness Walls” in the schools; even the “Gratitude Walls” in the schools were decorated during the period.
The Happiness Week 2023 event was inaugurated by the Education Minister of Delhi, Atishi Singh, who said: “The journey of the Happiness Curriculum in the last five years has been remarkable, as children have learned to be happy through the Happiness Curriculum.”
Singh claimed that this has also increased self-confidence among students.
However, Kriti Pandey, a student at Anand Vihar SKV, said: “I have attended Happiness Classes from the beginning, but gradually, it seems the aim of such classes is not being fulfilled. The way these classes were held before is not the same now. The government should look into this aspect.”
Rinku Rai, a parent, said: “The government should take measures to improve the education of these schools, it is not the way it used to be earlier.”
However, another parent Manoj Singh, said: “The Happiness Curriculum has transformed my child’s education. It nurtured my child’s creativity and critical thinking, fostering a unique problem-solving approach. My son taught me mindfulness practice, which helped me overcome depression.”
Ishan, a student at Suchdeva Government School near Prahladpur Railway Colony, said, “Earlier, when I started with the Happiness Curriculum, I was not interested, but now I love the mindfulness activities, which helped me stay focused and calm during school time. It has also taught me how to handle stress and challenges with a positive mindset. I feel more confident and ready to face the world.”
Jigyasa Tiwari, another student, said: “I have been attending Happiness Classes for the past four years. It helped me evolve as a person and inculcate various important life skills. I think it should be extended to other schools in Delhi as well to help students understand the significance of happiness in life.”