CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

“Shiksha Kendra”, 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi

No. HOD (EDUSAT)/08 March 10, 2008

Circular No 08

All Heads of Institutions

Affiliated to the CBSE

Subject: Counselling in Schools

 Dear Principal,

  CBSE has been sending guidelines to its affiliated schools periodically about providing counselling services to students. Circular No. 8 dated 10^th July, 2002 highlighted this need by observing that ‘exercises in building self-concept, self-image, acceptability, ability to withstand pressures, sense of enterprises, sportsmanship etc. have to be part of the learning process’ and schools were instructed to provide planned and effective counselling to achieve the above. The Board has also advised all the senior secondary schools to appoint a person on full time basis for performing the duties of a counsellor.It was also expected that secondary school would also follow the above directions if the resources permit.

 A committee, popularly known as Raghavan Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court of India to make suggestions for prevention of ragging in educational institutions has also made a strong case for regular and periodic psychological counselling sessions for every student in the school. Though ragging is not prevalent at school level, it is necessary for schools to sensitize students about human rights, democratic values and respect for privacy and dignity of others. The right attitude is formed only at the formative period of schooling. Schools are advised to create a conducive climate that is free from fear, anxiety and stress so that children learn joyfully and learn to work together harmoniously. The following points are reiterated in this regard with an instruction to schools to implement an effective programme of counselling for students:

• At secondary and senior secondary stages at least twenty sessions of psychological counselling must be provided to every student in an academic session. Parents and teachers may also be involved in such sessions.

• Corporal punishment should be totally banned in schools (please refer to CBSE circular dated 20^th July, 2002).

• Awareness about human rights, respect for diversity and equality may be discreetly grafted into the lessons and exercises right from the primary classes. Education in Life Skills can be given greater thrust in classes VI-VIII to inculcate the desirable value system.

• Mentioning the status of the student in terms of his/her behaviour pattern in the school leaving and character certificates is mandatory.

Your cooperation in the matter will go a long way in creating a conducive ambience in schools for the holistic and healthy development of children.

Yours faithfully,

(SHASHI BHUSHAN)

HOD (EDUSAT & VOCATIONAL EDUCATION)

Copy to:

1. Shri K Satish Nambudripad, Director(ADMN.) MHRD,Department of Higher Education, Shashtri Bhawan,New Delhi -110001,with a reference to his letter No D No 9-98/2006-U.5 dated 23^rd July, 2007

2. The Director of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Old Secretariat, Delhi-110054.

3. The Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, 18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi-110016.

4. The Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, A-28, Kailash Colony, New Delhi-110048.

5. The Director, Central Tibetan School Administration, ESS Plaza, Sector-3, Rohini, Delhi-85

6. The Additional Director General Director General of Army Education, A-Wing, Sena Bhawan, DHQ-PO, New Delhi.

7. The Secretary & Director Education, Govt. of Sikkim, Gangtok(Sikkim)-737101.

8. The Director of Education, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair-744101.

9. The Director of School Education, Govt. of Aurnachal Pradesh, Civil Sectt. Ita nagar-70111, Arunachal Pradesh.

10. The Director of Public Instruction, Chandigarh Administration, Sector-9, Chandigarh-160017.

11. All the HODs and other officers of CBSE, Delhi.

12. E.O. to Chairman, CBSE, DELHI

13. All the Regional Officers of the CBSE, with a request to distribute it to all the schools under their region

14. All the Education Officers of the CBSE, DELHI.

15. Joint Secretary (IT), CBSE with a request to put the circular on the Website.

16. Education Officer (O L), CBSE with a request to get the circular printed in the forthcoming issue of CENBOSEC.

HOD (EDUSAT)