Delhi's Education Minister, Atishi, inaugurated the Happiness Saptah 2023, commemorating five successful years of the groundbreaking Happiness Curriculum in Delhi Government schools. The event marks a significant milestone in the journey of empowering students to explore their potential, wisdom, and emotional intelligence, shaping them into confident, mindful, and compassionate individuals.
During the inauguration, the Education Minister actively participated in various activities with students and interacted with them, expressing that spending moments with schoolchildren amidst day-to-day work and files is her Happiness Class.
“The journey of the Happiness Curriculum in the last five years has been remarkable, with a significant increase in children's focus on their studies and also in helping them stay stress-free,” said Atishi.
The daily 30-minute Happiness Class has benefited lakhs of children in Delhi Government schools, teaching them the importance of relationships and how to express their emotions, ultimately leading them to find happiness. Students have developed increased self-confidence and respect for family members, a notable success of this curriculum.
Highlighting the importance of preparing students for real-life challenges, Atishi emphasized that the conventional education system often overlooks essential life skills like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, team management, and relationship skills. She stressed that the Happiness Curriculum addresses these important concerns. “With the current access to information at their fingertips, our students can obtain knowledge on any topic within seconds, which used to take us days to gather from various sources. This calls for a shift in our approach towards education, enabling students to think deeply, analyze, and contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation and society,” said the Education Minister.
Introduced in July 2018 across all Delhi government schools from Nursery to Class 8, the Happiness Curriculum has garnered immense success over the years. Approximately 8 lakh students actively participate in daily happiness classes, aimed at enhancing self-awareness, critical thinking, and nurturing better relationships with oneself, family, society, and the environment.
A 2020 evaluation study conducted by the Brookings Institute highlighted the positive impact of Happiness classes on students and teachers alike. Students experienced better relationships with their peers and teachers, increased class participation, and improved focus. Teachers, too, prioritized values over mere academic success, resulting in a changed teaching orientation and increased collaboration with other educators. To further enhance the effectiveness of the Happiness Curriculum, the Delhi government has initiated various new initiatives. These include introducing new magazines for students and expanding the reach of the curriculum at the national and international levels. An English translation of the Happiness Teachers' Handbook is also being prepared.
The event saw students and parents sharing their experiences with the Happiness Curriculum, with many expressing their appreciation for its transformative impact. The curriculum not only improved academics but also instilled vital life skills and emotional intelligence in the students, making them more compassionate and kind individuals
