3 weeks ago
Punjab trains 21,850 teachers on mental health, drug abuse prevention
Teachers in a place called Punjab are learning how to help students who feel sad, worried, or in trouble.
The government wants teachers to spot the early signs when a student is stressed or might get involved with dangerous drugs.
More than 21,850 teachers will join special one-day classes.
The classes will happen in 12 districts of Punjab, starting in August 2026.
In the first classes, more than 800 teachers took part.
Teachers will learn to be kind and helpful instead of punishing students who need support.
Schools will become places where students can ask for help without feeling embarrassed.
Teachers will promise to act like a guard between students and drugs.
This helps everyone stay safe and healthy.
The Punjab government is training more than 21,850 teachers across 12 districts to spot early signs of student mental health issues and drug abuse vulnerability.
The training runs through more than 500 one-day batches under the 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' anti-drug campaign, starting August 2026.
First sessions were held in Fazilka and Tarn Taran with more than 800 teachers; rollout will reach Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala and other districts.
Teachers will learn to respond to distress with sensitivity rather than punishment, promote healthy coping, and act as a 'sentry' between students and drugs.
The programme follows January training for principals and an Amritsar pilot involving over 2,800 teachers, and is overseen by SCERT with DITSU, NMBA and NAPDDR support.
- Who
- The Punjab government, with the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) overseeing implementation, and more than 21,850 school teachers.
- What
- A phased teacher training programme to help educators identify early signs of mental health concerns and drug abuse vulnerability among students.
- Where
- Across 12 districts of Punjab, India, including Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Mohali and Patiala.
- When
- Announced via a government press release on Tuesday, with training batches beginning August 2026.
- Why
- To enable early intervention, connect students to support without social stigma, and prevent drug abuse.
Key facts
- Programme
- 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' anti-drug campaign teacher training
- Teachers to be trained
- More than 21,850
- Districts covered
- 12, including Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala
- Training format
- More than 500 one-day awareness and capacity-building batches
- Start date
- August 2026
- First sessions
- Fazilka and Tarn Taran; more than 800 teachers took part
- Amritsar pilot
- More than 2,800 teachers trained; over 75% felt motivated
- Oversight bodies
- SCERT and DITSU, with support from NMBA and NAPDDR
Sources
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