Mumbai: With student suicides surpassing those of farmers last year, tackling the issue of mental health of students will be given major importance in the newly announced 'parenting calendar' initiative by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), according to Dr. Swati Popat Vats, a core member of the committee designing the initiative.

CBSE, on Wednesday, had announced the formation of a 10-member committee tasked with developing a structured parenting calendar, aimed at enhancing communication between parents and CBSE-affiliated schools across India, for the upcoming year.

The initiative aims to foster timely parent-teacher conversations through a structured framework, addressing issues like behavioral changes, exam stress, and the needs of children with special needs (CWSN). CBSE authorities believe this will promote effective collaboration between parents and schools to support students.

“The goal is to unite and sensitise all CBSE schools across India, along with parents, to foster a better environment for children through recurring discussions on student progress and addressing key concerns,” Vats stated.

A significant component of the framework will focus on mental health, she informed, outlining that her recommendations will be divided into two key areas: sensitising schools and parents to the importance of mental health, and providing regular training sessions to equip them with the tools to address related issues effectively.

Highlighting that children face various challenges and require different approaches to mental health at each stage of development, Vats emphasised that “stakeholders must be empowered to effectively address the distinct needs of each developmental phase for a child.”

While the initiative has been well-received by many parents and principals of CBSE schools, some believe it has come after considerable delay. Soma Chaterjee, Principal of Podar International School, Nerul, commented, “Mental health is crucial to academic progress and has long been a pressing issue for students. While CBSE could have initiated this earlier, it’s understandable given the challenges of implementing such programs across schools, especially in rural areas.”

Sonam, a parent of a student at Vibgyor Roots and Rise School, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, stating, “This conversation was long overdue. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed the growing visibility of mental health issues among children, particularly during adolescence. I am relieved that CBSE is now taking action on this critical issue.”

To develop the calendar, the committee will hold both virtual and in-person meetings in the coming months. The final recommendations are expected to be submitted by March 15, 2025 and be implemented in the coming academic year.