VIJAYAWADA: The Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) along with Heartfulness Educational Trust has come up with a new programme, a 16-week certificate course in life skills for Intermediate students. During the District Collectors’ conference on Thursday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao launched the handbook of the course.
The programme is made available in all government junior colleges, government-aided colleges, and private unaided colleges to incorporate the Heartfulness programmes for all their students to reduce stress and nurture ethical and moral values. This course will be delivered as weekly sessions, with one-hour per week as the delivery mechanism. Every session will cover a unique topic on life skills and values, followed by practical experiential session on various techniques.
Speaking to TNIE, BIE commissioner B Udaya Lakshmi said, “For the first time, we are coming up with such a initiative. The aim is to develop good nature among the students with constructive thinking, confidence and reducing stress levels and suicidal tendencies among others. Topics will include various elements of science, activities, stories, quotes and morals. As of now, 797 junior colleges across the State with 2.5 lakh students are being trained. Our target is to reach five lakh students. Upon the completion of training, an e-certificate, (electronic certificate) will be issued to the students. This is not under the Intermediate curriculum.”