CBSE to appoint two counselors in schools from next session
CBSE to appoint two counselors in schools from next session
CBSE mandates two specialized counselors per school—one for socio-emotional wellbeing and one for career guidance—to tackle mental health concerns and boost career planning.
In a move aimed at safeguarding student wellbeing and guiding future careers, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that all affiliated schools must appoint two professional counsellors starting from the next academic year. The change is part of an effort to address rising concerns about academic pressure and its impact on students.
The board’s governing body, in a meeting held on December 24 last year, updated the affiliation bye-laws to replace the earlier single counsellor and wellness teacher arrangement with two distinct roles: a Counselling & Wellness Teacher (Socio-Emotional Counsellor) and a Career Counsellor. The new counsellor-to-student ratio of 1:500 aligns with global standards and is intended to allow schools to focus more effectively on social-emotional well-being and structured career guidance.
According to the circular, the Socio-Emotional Counsellor should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or social work, or another subject with a diploma in school or child counselling. The Career Counsellor should possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in streams such as humanities, science, social sciences, management, education or technology. The appointed professionals are expected to have competencies in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) delivery, crisis intervention, and identifying mental health concerns, ensuring early support for students in need.
This policy move underscores a growing emphasis on holistic education—balancing academics with emotional health and clear career guidance. As schools prepare for the transition, authorities stress the importance of adequately trained personnel and resources to implement these roles effectively.
