Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches Project Manobal in Government Schools

NEW DELHI — Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, officially launched Project Manobal on July 24, 2026, at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Shalimar Bagh Village, marking the inauguration of India's first structured mental health education program designed specifically for government school students. Spearheaded by the Ladli Foundation in collaboration with mental health organization The Mind Sync, the initiative integrates age-appropriate social-emotional learning (SEL) and psychological resilience training into the formal education framework. The development comes amidst growing national focus on addressing adolescent psychological well-being through proactive educational policy, establishing a preventative framework rather than relying solely on crisis intervention.

Structured Curriculum and Practical Student Resources

Under Project Manobal, students across participating public schools will receive weekly instruction led by trained clinical and educational psychologists. Rather than offering ad-hoc counseling, the program implements a standardized, grade-wise curriculum that tracks students' social-emotional development alongside conventional academic metrics.

Every enrolled student will be provided with a specialized Project Manobal kit containing:

• Grade-specific mental health education activity workbooks

• Social-emotional assessment tools and tracking modules

• Certified completion credentials upon course milestone achievements

• Ergonomic stationery kits supplied in partnership with global manufacturer Maped

The initiative also incorporates the establishment of the "Manobal Lab," recognized as India’s first school-based emotional intelligence facility designed to provide interactive, experiential learning stations where students learn stress management, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution techniques in a safe environment.

Teacher Training and Advanced Adolescent Workshops

A central pillar of Project Manobal involves strengthening classroom support systems through specialized educator training. Workshops conducted for government school teachers focus on early identification of behavioral shifts, psychological distress, and learning impediments, equipping educators to foster psychologically supportive classroom environments.

For secondary and senior secondary students, the program introduces the "MANN Workshop" series. These immersive sessions utilize role-play, case studies, and live scenarios to address challenges unique to adolescence, including peer pressure, academic anxiety, digital media strain, and career decision stress.

Alignment with National Education Policy and Long-Term Goals

The introduction of Project Manobal aligns with the broader objectives outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes holistic child development and integrated mental health support in primary and secondary education. The initiative reflects a strategic shift from reactive mental health management to early preventive education, equipping students with cognitive resilience, empathy, and adaptive life skills required for higher education and future workforce integration.

Organizational disclosures from the Ladli Foundation highlight a history of civic infrastructure and digital empowerment projects across Delhi schools, including computer laboratories, smart classrooms, and university entrance test readiness initiatives. Project Manobal extends this public-private partnership model into the domain of student healthcare and psychological welfare.

Official Announcements

According to official releases issued during the inauguration event, the program will undergo structured phase-wise implementation across additional municipal and state-run educational facilities. Progress tracking protocols will allow school administrators and parents to monitor emotional intelligence indicators using standardized evaluation frameworks.

Quotes

"According to officials from the Delhi Government and event organizers, Project Manobal establishes a preventative framework that equips young learners with emotional strength, resilience, and life skills to navigate academic and personal challenges effectively."

Why It Matters

Mental health education in public schools directly impacts student retention, academic performance, and overall youth development. By embedding trained professionals and standardized mental health workbooks directly into government school timetables, Project Manobal democratizes access to psychological guidance for children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds who previously lacked access to private mental health resources.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Program Launch: Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta launched Project Manobal at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Shalimar Bagh.

• Core Partners: Developed as a joint initiative by the Ladli Foundation and The Mind Sync.

• Key Components: Features weekly psychologist-led classes, grade-wise student kits, teacher workshops, and the country's first school-based Manobal Lab.

• Evaluation Standard: Incorporates structured social-emotional development report cards alongside regular academic tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Project Manobal?

Project Manobal is India's first structured mental health education program implemented in government schools, providing regular, curriculum-based emotional intelligence training and psychological support to students.

Who is implementing Project Manobal in Delhi schools?

The initiative is led by the Ladli Foundation in partnership with mental health organization The Mind Sync, with full endorsement and support from the Government of Delhi.

How will students benefit from Project Manobal?

Students receive weekly lessons from qualified psychologists, specialized learning kits, interactive workshops, and access to the Manobal Lab to build emotional resilience, manage stress, and improve interpersonal skills.

Is mental health progress tracked for students?

Yes, the program uses structured assessments to evaluate each student's social-emotional growth, providing progress reports to track psychological development alongside academic performance.

Source: Official announcements released by ANI News, the Directorate of Education, Delhi, and project releases by the Ladli Foundation.