In the recent years, government schools in Delhi has had many visitors from across the country who come to witness the much-talked about reforms in education. But on Tuesday, it was the Dutch royal couple who paid a visit to a school in north east Delhi. Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited a Delhi government school in Nandnagri area October 15. The royal couple, who are on a five-day India visit to boost bilateral economic and political cooperation, were welcomed by Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. During the 30-minute visit, Sisodia briefed the them about various initiatives taken by the Delhi government in the education sector.
In his tweets, Sisodia mentioned that the school kids talked about Happiness Curriculum and Entrepreneurship:
It was an honour to welcome the royal couple of Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to a #DelhiGovtSchool in Nandnagri today.
Students delighted to meet them, vibrantly introduced #HappinessCurriculum & #Entrepreneurship Mindset curriculum to the royal couple. pic.twitter.com/97YOMQdoJw
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) October 15, 2019
The royal couple of Nederlands had exclusive 30 minute discussions with the students of #DelhiGovtSchool about emotional learning outcomes. pic.twitter.com/fh3GvPZErc
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) October 15, 2019
What is Happiness Curriculum?
In July 2018, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government launched the “Happiness Curriculum” for students of nursery to Class 8 in government schools. The new subject was designed and prepared by a team of 40 Delhi government teachers, educators and volunteers over a period of six months. Happiness Curriculum involves a 45 minute ‘happiness’ period for students everyday. The period begins with a few minutes of mindfulness practice after which they are introduced to stories and innovative activities. It also includes value education and mental exercises. The idea behind the curriculum is to train children to think logically and to enhance their creativity for their physical and mental well-being.
Delhi government’s flagship ‘Happiness Curriculum’ has been a talking point across the country. Many state governments have expressed their interest to replicate the model in their respective states.
In July, education ministers and officials from Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry and Nagaland visited different Delhi government schools to be a part of the Happiness Classes. Their visit was part of the the Happiness Utsav—a 15-day festival organised by the Delhi government to celebrate a year of the Happiness Curriculum. Apart from education ministers, famous educators such as Anand Kumar (of Super 30 fame) as well as Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh have appreciated Delhi’s education model.
Earlier this year, the government also launched Entrepreneurship Curriculum as a pilot project for students from classes 9 to 12. Students will be given Rs 1,000 each as seed money to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. The curriculum will be based on activity and there would be no evaluation, examination and books. The idea is to equip the students to face in a better way the challenges of life after education.
