NEED FOR SOCIAL AND

EMOTIONAL EDUCATION
Neeta Meshram

September 2022
Introduction
• There is a growing acceptance that
• learning how to read ourselves -- and the reactions of others -- is as important
as learning how to read words and numbers.
• This comes under the gambit of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
• SEL refers to the process and methods we use to promote social
emotional competencies.
• The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) underscores the
importance of SEL to “develop good human beings capable of rational
thought and action, possessing compassion and empathy”.
Social & Emotional Learning
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is defined as “the process of
acquiring a set of social and emotional skills—
• self-awareness,
• self-management,
• social awareness,
• relationship skills,
• and responsible decision making—
in a safe, supportive environment that encourages social, emotional, and
cognitive development and provides authentic opportunities for practicing
social-emotional skills”
(adapted from Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), 2005)
SEL Competencies and Descriptions
•Self Awareness
•The ability to recognize one’s feelings and emotions and how they influence one’s decisions and behavior;

•Self-Management
•The ability to express one’s emotions appropriately;

•Relationship Management
•The ability to form and sustain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups;

•Social Awareness
•The ability to work and form positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds (eg: religion, caste, gender, race,
ethnicity, economic status);

•Decision Making
•The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior, health, relationships and career considering existing
social, ethical and safety norms;

The Indian Social & Emotional Learning Framework a research-based educational resource developed by The Teacher Foundation
Why Social and Emotional Learning
• People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday
challenges and benefit
• academically,
• professionally, and
• socially.
• From
• effective problem-solving to self-discipline,
• impulse control to emotion management and more,
• SEL provides a foundation for positive, long-term effects on kids, adults, and
communities.
• Children thrive. Schools win. Workplaces benefit. Society strengthens. All due to
social-emotional learning.
SEL in Indian Context
• Concepts like
• self-regulation and
• conflict resolution
appear in the learning outcomes prescribed by the National Council of
Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for the preschool stage
• Despite this SEL finds no mention in the curriculum for primary
grades
• The chapter on Early Childhood Care and Education of the NEP
2020 gives SEL comparable importance as other academic
competencies.
SEL in Indian Context
• Pratham’s Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019 reinforced
the urgent need to include SEL in the school curriculum
• A comprehensive curriculum (for preschool and school) that
incorporates SEL activities with expected outcomes and a systematic
evaluation is the need of the hour.
• Delhi & Uttarakhand government schools have introduced the
‘Happiness Curriculum’ framework integrating Social and Emotional
activities into academic structure.
SEL in Indian Context
• Mitra Upakram is an initiative of Government of Maharashtra to
facilitate mental growth of School Children
• The Aim of this Program is to facilitate wholesome mental growth of
School Children
• MITRA: Mind In Training for Right Awareness
• Approximately 2.5 Crores School Students & 1 Lakh School Teachers
will be participating in this program
• The Government of Maharashtra gives Paid Leaves to Teachers to
participate in this program
Implementing SEL In India
• Examining curriculum
• Training staff
• Creating assessments that measure movement, not benchmarks
• Hiring a diverse team
• Putting equitable policies in place
• Ensuring long-term support for young people
• Working in government school systems
References:
• National Education Policy 2020
• The Primary Teacher, NCERT Publication 2011
• Social and Emotional Education: Core Concepts & Practices by Jonathan Cohen
• EdTech Promoting Social-Emotional Learning in India, ICT India Working Paper No 55,
by Anchal Sharma, August 2021
• Social-emotional learning in India: The importance of intersectionality, Suchetha Bhat
and Varsha Pillai in Developing India TOI Article February 9, 2022
• Social and Emotional Learning: The Real Gap in India's Education System, Setu
Loomba and Priyasha Chawla December 3, 2020 The Wire Article
• The Teacher Foundation
• Committee for Children