Chief Minister's major decision to ban humiliation of students scoring low marks

According to reports by ABP Asmita and The Times of India (Ahmedabad), Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has taken an important and major decision to prioritize the mental health of students in Gujarat. This step has been taken by the state government keeping in mind the continuously increasing pressure of studies and examinations. Under this new decision, special orders have been issued to improve the mental condition of students in class 9 to 12 schools and provide them with a stress-free environment.

The main objective behind this new rule is to provide a stress-free environment to students and prevent serious incidents like suicide. According to reports, this new rule is based on the guidelines of the Supreme Court and NCERT's 'UMMEED' model. Moving forward in this direction, the Education Department has added a new Rule-16(A) in the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Regulations, 1974.

According to the new rule, it has been made mandatory for all registered secondary and higher secondary schools in the state to form a 'School Wellness Team' (SWT). The school principal will remain the head of this School Wellness Team (SWT). Teachers, a member of the school management committee, and a 'Mano-Mitra' (peer monitor) selected from among the students will be included in this team. Apart from this, GSHSEB schools will also have to appoint wellness teams and counselors for students.

Clear provisions have also been made regarding the appointment of counselors keeping in mind the number of students. Schools where 100 or more students are studying, it is mandatory for such schools to appoint a qualified counselor or psychologist. While schools with less than 100 students will have to tie up with the nearest health center.

Extremely strict rules have been made to prevent discrimination and humiliation happening with students. Categorizing students on the basis of marks or academic performance or segregating them in the classroom has been strictly prohibited. Publicly humiliating a student scoring low marks or putting them down by comparing with bright students will now be considered an offense. Under the new rules, putting them in a publicly embarrassing situation or public humiliation has been completely banned.

With the objective of maintaining a positive environment in schools, schools will have to regularly organize extracurricular activities such as sports, yoga, meditation, music, and NCC. Help boxes and child helpline numbers will have to be displayed in schools. Any kind of private information or counseling details of students will be kept completely confidential.

It has been made mandatory to provide special training regarding mental health 2 times a year for all school staff. If symptoms of suicide or depression are seen in any student, psychological first aid has to be given to them on an immediate basis. To prevent ragging, cyberbullying, or any other type of discrimination, it is essential to create a strong grievance redressal system at the school level.

If a student suffers serious harm or commits suicide due to school negligence, it will be considered an 'institutional fault'. In cases of such institutional fault, strict legal action will be taken against the responsible school administrators or officials. To ensure strict compliance with all these rules in schools, training, action against negligence, and supervision by the district collector have been made mandatory.

A special monitoring committee will be formed at the district level under the chairmanship of the district collector or district magistrate to supervise this entire arrangement. This committee will keep an eye on the implementation of these rules in the schools of the entire district. This entire action plan has been prepared so that these rules are strictly followed in schools and students can receive education in a fear-free environment.