Happiness Curriculum: What it is and Why Every School Needs it?
What comes to mind when we think or talk about school? It is usually marks, subjects, homework, and exams. We often forget about something very basic- how students actually feel. Are they happy? Do they feel heard? Do they feel safe to express? This is the reason why the Happiness Curriculum was introduced in Delhi schools.
In 2018, Delhi’s government introduced something called the Happiness Curriculum to try and answer that. It’s now taught in all Delhi government schools from Nursery to Class 8, focusing on socio-emotional learning (SEL) and well-being in schools thereby improving student mental health. This is not another subject introduced to study for exams. This is about helping students understand their emotions and their relationships with others.
Why Do Schools Need Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Students today are dealing with more stress than ever. Academic pressure, family dynamics, friendships and the ever-increasing competitiveness, to name a few. According to the World Happiness Report 2025, India ranks at 118 out of 147 countries. In a UNICEF report named ‘State of the World’s Children 2021’, 1 in 7 adolescents aged 10–19 are living with a diagnosis of a mental disorder. The same report also mentions that 14% of 15 to 24-year-olds in India reported often feeling depressed or having little interest in doing things.
The idea behind conducting happiness classes was to respond to growing student stress and social anxiety issues. The belief is simple. When children learn about managing their emotions and reflecting on their actions, they build meaningful connections. They also become mentally, emotionally, and academically stronger. This approach lays the foundation for positive psychology in education.
Who Came Up With it?
The Delhi Government launched the happiness curriculum. It was designed by a team from SCERT Delhi along with mentor teachers, psychologists, and experts from organisations like Labhya Foundation, Dream a Dream, and others.
They also took inspiration from the ideas of A. Nagraj, a philosopher who talked about coexistence and inner harmony.
So, What Happens in These Classes?
Each day, students have one happiness period. There are no textbooks or exams. Instead, students do:
- – Mindfulness exercises like breathing or just sitting quietly
- – Stories that spark reflection
- – Discussions about values, choices, and relationships
- – Activities and role plays to help them express their thoughts and feelings
Younger students learn more about observing emotions and being kind. Older ones explore ideas like trust, cooperation, fairness, and how to live in peacefully with others.
What are Students Actually Learning?
The curriculum is built around three ideas:
- Learning and self-awareness – Understanding needs, feelings, and thoughts
- Relationships – Respect, empathy, sharing, and being part of a group
- Community and society – Realising how each person contributes and matters
It helps students in understanding temporary happiness (such as watching a cartoon or receiving a new toy) and lasting happiness that comes from self-awareness and feeling connected to others.
Does it Work?
Teachers have noticed changes. Some kids who were shy started speaking more. Others began resolving fights on their own or became better listeners. Many just seem calmer and more engaged—not only in happiness classes, but also in regular subjects.
There’s no exam for this, and no marks. Teachers keep notes and reflect on each student’s progress week by week.
Why More Schools Should Pay Attention
With the NEP 2020 focusing on holistic learning, emotional and social development is finally getting the attention it deserves. The Happiness Curriculum is one of the few real steps taken in that direction. It shows that school doesn’t just have to be about books and tests—it can also be about building better human beings.
In Simple Words
Students spend years in school. If all we give them is information, but no tools to understand themselves or others, we’re missing the point. The Happiness Curriculum brings that missing piece back into the classroom—and that matters.
Sources:
State of the World’s Children 2021