The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the introduction of the CBSE Parenting Calendar for the forthcoming academic session. This initiative is designed to facilitate structured and timely communication between parents and teachers, addressing critical aspects such as behavioural changes, examination-related stress, and the specific needs of children with special educational requirements (CWSN).
Recognising that a child's academic achievement and emotional resilience are profoundly influenced by both the school and home environments, CBSE seeks to enhance collaboration between educators and parents through this structured framework.
Schools stand to benefit by fostering cooperative relationships between parents and students, ensuring consistent communication that establishes a comprehensive support system for learners. This framework aims to systematically address key concerns, including behavioural adjustments, examination stress, and learning difficulties, thereby providing a structured approach to student well-being.
The Parenting Calendar will incorporate structured orientations, scheduled meetings, and a range of initiatives to facilitate engagement between schools and parents. By offering comprehensive guidance for effective interactions, the calendar will serve as a strategic guide for parental involvement, encouraging active participation in students' academic and personal development.
Previously, CBSE had announced the formation of a ten-member committee tasked with developing this structured parenting calendar. Dr Swati Popat Vats, a core member of the committee, stated that "the issue of students' mental health will be given significant emphasis in the newly introduced calendar."
Emphasising that children encounter various challenges and require tailored mental health approaches at different stages of their development, Dr Vats highlighted the necessity for stakeholders to be adequately equipped to address the unique needs of each developmental phase.
While the initiative has been largely welcomed by parents and principals of CBSE-affiliated schools, some believe its implementation has been significantly delayed. Soma Chatterjee, Principal of Podar International School, Nerul, remarked, "Mental health is integral to academic progress and has long been a critical issue for students. While CBSE could have introduced this initiative earlier, the challenges associated with implementing such programmes across schools, particularly in rural areas, are understandable."
