The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all affiliated schools to appoint dedicated counselors and wellness teachers. This directive mandates one counseling and wellness teacher for every 500 students in Classes 9 to 12. The move aims to enhance student socio-emotional and career support.
Counselor Appointment Requirements
Schools must maintain a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:500 for secondary and senior secondary students. The appointed individuals will serve as both socio-emotional and career counselors. This measure addresses student well-being and guidance for future pathways.
Qualifications and Competencies
Prospective counseling and wellness teachers must meet specific academic qualifications. Candidates require a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in psychology (clinical, counseling, applied, educational) or a Master’s in social work (mental health or counseling). Alternatively, a postgraduate degree in any subject combined with a diploma in school counseling or child guidance and counseling is acceptable.
- Required Skills: The official CBSE order states appointed personnel must demonstrate competencies in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) delivery, crisis intervention, mental health concern identification, parent/teacher sensitization, and confidentiality.
- Mandatory Training: All appointed individuals must complete 50 hours of capacity-building programs (CBP3) offered by the CBSE. These programs focus on psychosocial counseling.
CBSE also suggests schools adopt its counseling hub and spoke school model. This model offers additional counseling and well-being support to students.
Revised Affiliation By-Laws
In a separate development, CBSE has amended its by-laws concerning minimum land requirements for establishing new schools. The revisions primarily affect school locations and required play areas.
Land Area Regulations
New schools must now be located within the municipal limits of ‘Y’ category cities, as defined by the Government of India, to qualify for CBSE affiliation. This change streamlines urban school development.
Play Area Specifications
Specific land requirements apply to play areas:
- Designated Regions: Schools in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Union Territories must have a play area of at least 2000 square meters within the campus.
- Relaxed Land Norms: Schools operating with less than 6000 square meters of land must also provide a play area of not less than 2000 square meters on campus.
If an on-campus play area of 2000 square meters is not feasible for schools with relaxed land norms, an alternative arrangement is permitted. Schools can secure access to nearby facilities for sports and extracurricular activities. These facilities include schools, colleges, sports complexes, stadiums, public parks, or government-maintained play areas.
The alternative arrangement must be valid for a minimum of 15 years . It must provide safe and easy access, located within 200 meters of the school. Crucially, students must not cross district, state, national highways, or major roads with significant traffic, ensuring student safety.