Gujarat Introduces Counsellor and Wellness Team Requirements for Classes 9–12

The Gujarat government has introduced new school wellbeing requirements for students of Classes 9 to 12 in schools affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB). The new guidelines focus on strengthening mental health support, preventing bullying and discrimination, and ensuring access to counselling services within schools. Under the requirements, schools must establish structured mental health support systems, provide confidential channels for students to report concerns and arrange additional counselling during examinations, board results and other stressful academic transitions.

Counsellor Requirements Based on School Strength

The new guidelines specify different counselling arrangements depending on the number of students enrolled in a school. Schools with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker trained in child and adolescent mental health. Schools with fewer than 100 students must establish formal referral arrangements with external mental health professionals or appropriate public health services to ensure students can access counselling when required. Additionally, every school must establish a principal-led School Wellness Team at the beginning of each academic year to oversee student wellbeing initiatives and coordinate support services.

Protection Against Student Humiliation and Discrimination

The guidelines also introduce measures to protect students from practices that may negatively affect their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Schools are prohibited from separating students based on examination marks or publicly humiliating students through comparisons and other practices that may cause emotional distress.

Students must also have access to confidential reporting mechanisms to raise concerns related to:

• Bullying and harassment.
• Discrimination and unfair treatment.
• Emotional distress and mental health concerns.
• Other issues affecting their safety and wellbeing.

Schools must ensure that counselling records remain confidential to protect students' privacy.

Additional Counselling During Exams and Results

Recognising the academic pressure associated with board examinations and important educational transitions, the new requirements call for additional mentoring and counselling support during these periods.

Schools must arrange additional assistance around:

• Board examinations.
• Declaration of examination results.
• Transitions between different school stages.
• Other academically stressful periods.

These measures aim to help students manage examination-related anxiety, academic pressure and uncertainty about their educational future.

Mandatory Training for Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff

The guidelines also emphasise the role of school staff in identifying and responding to student wellbeing concerns. Both teaching and non-teaching staff must receive relevant training at least twice every academic year. The training is intended to improve awareness of student mental health, emotional distress and appropriate support mechanisms. Schools are also required to provide career guidance to help students make informed decisions about their future academic and professional pathways.

District-Level Committees to Monitor Implementation

To ensure that schools follow the new wellbeing requirements, district-level committees will monitor their implementation. These committees will oversee compliance with counselling arrangements, School Wellness Teams, staff training and other student support measures. With these requirements, Gujarat is introducing a structured approach to mental health and student wellbeing in secondary and higher secondary schools, with a focus on counselling access, confidentiality, protection from discrimination and support during academically challenging periods.