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This story is from August 16, 2006
Masti Ki Pathshala
Can happiness be taught? Two of the world's most respected universities think so, and are gunning for it to be introduced as a subject in schools.
DR NICK Baylis of Cambridge University, a lecturer of positive psychology and the science of well-being, has started a 'Well-being Institute' at the university. There is a highly popular and well-publicised course on happiness at Harvard University also.
Professors at Oxford and Cambridge now suggest that a course on 'how to be happy' be introduced in schools as a subject.
And after India was ranked 125th in a happiness survey, perhaps bringing happiness into the curriculum is the need of the hour. "The outcome will be very positive. Happiness has a direct link to creativity and sociability,"says Avitej Kumar, parent of a school-goer, suggesting that there is obviously a break in the link.
But is the school level too early? "Not really,"says Anthony Seldon who was involved in the study, "Habits and characteristics are formed at that level."
The universities claim that teaching happiness will bring about a positive change in children. They will gain an understanding about their goals, and try to achieve them in a realistic and practical manner.
"Health has a direct connection with happiness. When a child is happy, he develops a healthy attitude and also stays away from vices like drug abuse, cigarettes and alcohol,"adds Avitej.
"The new curriculum will enhance prospects for a child to handle situations better, as even they have to deal with failures, rejections, bereavements and depressions,"says Anthony Seldon.
But, the point is can 'happiness' be taught as a subject? Una Morris, says, "Happiness comes from within. It's not a commodity. You cannot buy it. And neither can you teach it as a subject.
I think, if taught as a subject, it will only prove to be an added burden on the child's mind."Parents agree. "Why make them more unhappy? Dealing with assignments, difficult math and puzzles is hard enough, so why add the burden of another subject?"asks Kamna, mother of two school-going children.
For the moment, it appears, to teach or not to teach, that is the question!
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