Happiness lessons in India: “Much more cohesion and politeness”

Happiness is an integral part of the curriculum in Delhi’s schools. One teacher observes that disciplines such as mindfulness, appreciative communication and critical thinking lead to positive changes in the children.

At the start of a happiness lesson at a Delhi comprehensive school, all that can be heard is the pounding of monsoon rain outside the windows and a little murmuring from other classrooms. The 25 seventh graders sit silently in their chairs with their eyes closed. You meditate, you want to gather your thoughts first. After a few minutes, the audible part of the happiness lesson begins.

mindfulness and critical thinking

Teacher Amesh Kumar was initially a little unsure what to make of it. Four years ago, the local school authorities introduced happiness classes in all schools in Delhi. Since then, all students have been practicing disciplines such as mindfulness, appreciative communication – but also critical thinking – once a day.

The teacher notices positive changes in the children. “There used to be a lot of fisticuffs. The children also revealed almost nothing about themselves. There is now much more cohesion and politeness among one another,” says Kumar.

Discussions about personal values

Today he lets his seventh graders discuss what money says about a person’s character. Discussions about personal values ​​are part of happiness classes, but so are open conversations about fears or needs. Here everything should be on the table, which is otherwise neglected.

“There is a principle in happiness education: Everyone is right. No one is wrong. Every child is fine, so they feel encouraged to share their experiences,” explains the teacher.

Increase in depression and suicides

After a four-year trial period, happiness education is now a permanent part of the curriculum in Delhi. Other Indian states are now also interested. Swati Chaurasia helped develop the program and sees an urgent need across the country: “We have identified a lot of social and emotional problems in our children. Depression and even suicide have increased.” In the meantime, even the youngest are exposed to enormous pressure to perform. That’s why they decided to “develop a curriculum that counteracts that.”

A lot to learn for life

The concept seems to be working. The students also confirm this. “We do things that teach us important values. I’ve already learned a lot about life that way,” says one student. And one student says: “My concentration has improved a lot. I’m so grateful for the lessons here. I can hardly put it into words.”

The happiness lesson then ends as it began: the students have closed their eyes and are meditating. In the classroom, only the monsoon rain can be heard again.