Khushi Shaala – children thriving
Collaborating with government schools and leaders in India to build state-wide mental health initiatives in education
Khushi Shaala – children thriving
Collaborating with government schools and leaders in India to build state-wide mental health initiatives in education
In partnership with the Kshamtalaya Foundation and the Rajasthan State Council of Education Research and Training, we have co-designed a school-based approach to fostering positive mental health and well-being skills among children in government schools across Rajasthan. The initiative includes evidence-based, community-centered, age-appropriate curricula and activities, along with high-quality experiential training and support for teachers.
Cultivating children’s mental health through teacher training and wellbeing classes allows them to build life skills at an important developmental age. These skills support their engagement in school, social development, and ability to respond to challenges with greater resilience and agency.
This year (2024), local facilitators are collaborating with Kshamtalaya, RSCERT, and Brio to pilot this program so that further insights and ideas from children and educators can be integrated. In 2025, we will begin the process of scaling this program statewide through the public school system.
What is the community’s story?
Since 2016, Kshamtalaya has been working with rural communities outside of Udaipur in Rajasthan. Working to improve government schools in collaboration with teachers, districts, parents, and children themselves, wellbeing has arisen as a critical need in the midst of environmental and social stressors. Many schools are run by only 1-2 teachers, and are responsible for the learning, growth, and care of young students throughout the day for at least 10 months per year.
Wellbeing skills not only help children to engage at school with more curiosity and courage, but also support teachers in a stressful and often isolating job. The Covid pandemic only compounded many of the challenges in classrooms and communities that were already on the edge, increasing motivation to explore wellbeing as a pillar of education that must be integrated. Furthermore, the National Education Policy of 2020 addresses the need for skills that go beyond traditional literacy and numeracy, but also “social, ethical, and emotional capacities”.
What is our partnership about?
Designing an effective approach to wellbeing learning and training
This multi-year curriculum writing project is in partnership with the Rajasthan State Council of Education Research and Training (RSCERT). Building on several research-driven models, the program is designed for grades 3-5. Children build skills that include present moment awareness, compassion for self and others, and values-driven action.
Utilizing stories, activities, and art, the program aims not only to teach about the skills but to help children understand them experientially. The lessons draw from daily life, including nature and community rhythms.
Local facilitator training and pilot with educators
Local community members are collaborating with Kshamtalaya, Brio, and the RSCERT to pilot the curriculum with 120 educators, who will offer further feedback on the feasibility of the program. This will also allow for initial evaluation of the program and receive feedback and response from children as well.
Preparation for scale
Through a deep and effective pilot process, feedback and results are to be integrated into the curriculum and training approach for the state’s planned implementation. Kshamtalaya and Brio will work together to develop impactful, scalable training methods and offer time-bound implementation support, starting in 2025.
What is the impact so far?
Mid-pilot in October 2024, we are excited to share the following exciting observations:
- Participating pilot teachers said this was the best training they’ve ever participated in and are eager to use the practices not just in the classroom but also for themselves and their own families.
- Well-being facilitators shared that they love this program and wish they grew up with it in their schools (they are from the communities of Rajasthan where the pilot is taking place).
- Teachers say that children are loving the program and showing signs of growth: they’re noticing their sensations, naming their emotions, and sharing their thoughts and feelings more openly in the classroom.
- Classrooms that have experienced Khushi Shaala are seeing an increase in attendance (e.g. on Saturdays when there is school but few children attend) because children want to participate in well-being activities.
- Children’s increased openness and attention is transferring to other classes like math and language, where children who used to be silent are asking questions and raising their hands.
When asked what she had experienced in the sessions so far, one 8-year-old student said, “I can feel my heart now!”
The Rajasthan SCERT, which oversees curriculum and teacher training, plans to implement this program acorss the state, reaching 2.3 million children in grades 3-5, after completion and review of the pilot in early 2025. We’re thrilled to be on this journey as co-creators of the program, and will facilitate the integration process through training design and on-ground support beginning in 2025. Stay tuned!
