CBSE directs schools to appoint counselors, wellness teachers for every 500 students from Classes 9 to 12

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all its affiliated-schools to appoint counselors and wellness teachers as per the news guidelines. Every secondary and senior secondary school should have to appoint persons for performing the duties as socio-emotional counselor and career counselor.

The board has instructed the schools to appoint one counseling and wellness teacher for up to every 500 students enrolled from Classes 9 to 12 by maintaining a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:500.

The person appointed as counseling and wellness teacher should have completed master’s or bachelor’s in psychology (clinical, counseling, applied, educational) or master’s in social work (mental health or counseling) or ug, pg degree in any subject plus diploma in school counseling or child guidance and counseling.

“The appointed person shall possess the competencies for SEL delivery, crisis intervention, identification of mental health concerns, parent/teacher sensitization, confidentiality etc. The appointed person must also undergo 50 hours of capacity building programs (CBP3) proferred by the Board for psycho social counseling,” according to the official order passed by the CBSE.

In addition, the CBSE counseling hub and spoke school model can be adopted by schools for providing counseling and well-being support to students, the board said.

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CBSE revises affiliation by-laws

The CBSE has amended its by laws regarding the minimum land requirement for establishing a school.

As per the revised law, the school must be within the limits of municipal authority of ‘Y’ category of cities as notified by the Government of India in order to be valid for the board’s affiliation.

It also states that the schools in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, UT of Lakshadweep should have a play area of not less than 2000 square meters of land within the campus.

“The school located on relaxed land norms having land area less than 6000 square meters should have a play area of not less than 2000 square meters within the campus or an arrangement for sports and extracurricular activities with the nearby schools, colleges, sports complex, stadium, any other institution for a minimum period of 15 years or public parks, play area, sports complex maintained by local urban municipal or development authorities or any other government authority,” the CBSE said.

The arrangement should be having safe and easy access without compromising with the safety of the students within the maximum limit of 200 meters from the school ensuring that the students do not have to cross any district, state, national highway or any major road carrying significant traffic which may pose a serious safety hazard for students, the board said.