New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) successfully organized the National Adolescent Summit 2024 on December 20-21 at Rashtriya Bal Bhavan, New Delhi. The two-day event, themed “Life Skills, Mental Health, Safety, and Well-Being”, brought together over 850 participants from India and abroad, promoting dialogue and collaboration on critical adolescent issues. Aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the summit provided a platform to empower students and teachers, promoting holistic development, said a press release by Secretary, CBSE.
The summit was inaugurated on 20 December 2024 by CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh, who emphasized the transformative role of adolescence and the importance of education that goes beyond textbooks and the classroom. In his address, he emphasized the need to nurture self-awareness and social contribution through extra-curricular activities, asked students to actively participate in the summit activities and shine their talents and voices, the statement said.
CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta acknowledged the growing challenges faced by students in the modern age, including information overload and changing family dynamics. He stressed the importance of a strong counseling mechanism in schools to address mental health concerns and create an inclusive learning environment, the statement added.
The National Health and Wellness Quiz tested knowledge and intelligence in a spirited contest, which required multiple sessions due to overwhelming interest. The summit also included panel discussions on student issues, workshops for counselors and welfare educators, and special interactive sessions, the release said.
The summit concluded with a closing ceremony on December 21, 2024, featuring India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma as the special guest. In his address, Sharma highlighted the importance of ethical media practices and critical thinking among the youth and stressed the need to fight misinformation and cyber crimes. His interactive question-and-answer session provided valuable insights into adolescent challenges and highlighted the importance of initiatives like Prime Minister’s Exam Pe Barcha, the release added.
Medals and certificates were awarded to the winners of various competitions in honor of their outstanding contribution and achievement at the conference. The program ended with a commitment to prioritize and strengthen the interests of the students. Mental health initiativesand promote an inclusive school ecosystem. CBSE reaffirmed its commitment to empowering students through innovative programs, comprehensive counseling mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with families and communities, the statement said.