Teachers urged to effectively implement SEE Learning in classrooms across Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: Emphasising the growing need for emotional resilience and ethical values among students, Samagra Shiksha Director Rajesh Sharma said that academic excellence alone is not sufficient in today’s competitive world and that schools must focus on nurturing emotionally strong and socially responsible individuals.
He was addressing the valedictory session of a three-day capacity-building workshop for the State Resource Group (SRG) under the Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning) programme, organised by Samagra Shiksha at the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Co-operative Staff Training Institute, Sangti (Summer Hill), Shimla.
Sharma said Himachal Pradesh has consistently performed among the leading states in educational indicators, including the PARAKH survey and the Performance Grading Index (PGI), owing to the collective efforts of teachers, policymakers and the government. However, he stressed that students today are increasingly facing academic pressure, stress and other mental health challenges, making emotional and ethical learning an essential component of education.
“Education is not merely about securing good marks in examinations. It is equally important to ensure the holistic and balanced development of every child,” Sharma said, adding that qualities such as empathy, responsibility, self-awareness and the ability to cope with adversity are crucial for students’ long-term success and well-being.
He called upon teachers to translate the knowledge and experiences gained during the workshop into classroom practices and integrate life values alongside subject teaching.
Highlighting recent educational reforms, Sharma said the state government has introduced several initiatives to improve the quality of education in government schools, including English-medium instruction, greater autonomy for schools in uniform selection and the adoption of modern teaching methodologies. These measures, he said, are already yielding positive outcomes in learning standards.
The director also noted that Samagra Shiksha has facilitated exposure visits for teachers to countries such as Singapore to familiarise them with globally recognised educational practices. He pointed out that social, emotional and ethical development is considered an integral part of education in advanced nations and said Himachal Pradesh is moving steadily in the same direction.
Expressing confidence in the future of the programme, Sharma said SEE Learning would emerge as a significant and sustainable component of school education and contribute positively to students’ lives.
SEE Learning State Coordinator Varsha Sood thanked the chief guest for attending the closing ceremony and said the workshop provided participants with practical activities, exercises and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening their understanding of the programme’s core concepts.
Officials of Samagra Shiksha, members of the State Resource Group and representatives of Piramal Foundation were also present on the occasion.
