Mindfulness pilot programme to be launched in schools from Jan.4: Minister

• Every religious leader representing the Ministry religious department will be assigned to supervise the programme

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

The Education Ministry will launch the “Mindfulness” programme as a pilot programme for schoolchildren on January 4 in all schools, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.   
Addressing the media at the ministry yesterday he said the programme would start from January 4 at 7.30 and last for 10 minutes weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.   

The cabinet approved the programme’s implementation beginning in 2023.   

Every religious leader representing the Ministry religious department will be assigned to supervise the programme. A television discussion was scheduled to be held on January 2.   
“This programme is not focused on one religion. The main target of the programme is to bring the mind to one place for 10 minutes,” he said.   

He stated that while the programme is being implemented, schoolchildren will be trained to focus their minds on a single goal.   

Mindfulness is a practice that supports educators with skills to improve focus and better manage stress, and it also offers self-care strategies, so educators feel more nourished and energized to support students in the classroom.   

The decision was made to implement the mindfulness programme in schools in order to reduce the stress on children’s minds as a result of their involvement in illegal activities such as drug addiction and violent incidents, according to the Minister.