Tripura is leading the way in education reform with the groundbreaking Saharsh Utsav, a pioneering initiative focused on emotional learning. The event, held at the Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan in Agartala, brought together over 1,400 participants including students, teachers, education officials, and policymakers.
In collaboration with the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Labhya Foundation, Tripura showcased its efforts in implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through the Saharsh curriculum. This initiative marks the first statewide SEL program in East and North East India.
Chief Minister Manik Saha, who inaugurated the event, highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in education. He stressed that “Education must start with the heart” and shared early findings from a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) conducted by the Labhya Foundation and J-PAL, showing significant improvements in student well-being.
Throughout the event, the chief minister engaged with students and educators at the Saharsh stalls. Key highlights included the launch of the Saharsh A3 poster for government schools, the release of the Saharsh Progress Report 2024, and cultural performances celebrating diversity and emotional expression.
Certificates were also presented to 100 Saharsh Model School Leaders and State Champions, recognizing their contributions to the initiative. Saharsh, which impacts over 4 lakh students in grades 1 to 8, integrates mindfulness, empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration into daily classroom activities.
As part of the initiative, Chief Minister Saha announced the establishment of Saharsh Model Schools of Change and the expansion of Bagless Days to promote experiential learning. Through these efforts, Tripura is setting a national standard for prioritizing children’s well-being alongside academic success.
