THE PUNJAB PUBLIC SCHOOL, NABHA : IN-SERVICE TRAINING (IPSC TEACHERS’ TRAINING)

The Punjab Public School, Nabha :  In-Service Training (IPSC Teachers’ Training)   

Topic: Adolescence Education Programme integrated with Life Skills and Classroom Management

Date: 14th – 15th September 2025

Day 1

The training began with the Opening Ceremony followed by insightful session of esteemed Keynote Speaker-Dr. Sumer Singh who emphasized Leadership in Schools, underlining that true leadership extends beyond authority and is reflected in creating an environment where teachers and students feel empowered, valued, and motivated. For counsellors, this reinforced the importance of guiding students towards self-leadership, responsibility, and resilience.

Session by Dr. (Mrs.) Lakshmi Annapurna Chintaluri touched upon three vital areas:

• Teen Mental Disorders – highlighting the growing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and self-harm tendencies in adolescents.
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in Classroom Settings – stressing that SEL must be integrated into daily teaching practices to foster empathy, self-awareness, and healthy relationships.
• Mindful Eating – drawing connections between food habits, mental health, and self- regulation.
• Key Learning as a Counsellor: Early identification and intervention in teen mental health, coupled with SEL practices, can significantly enhance students’ emotional resilience. Mindful eating also serves as a practical tool to promote self-regulation among adolescents.

Day 2

The second day provided deeper insights into life skills and holistic education.

Session by Dr. D. C. Sharma - Dr. Sharma spoke about the 5 Yamas and 5 Niyamas in Education, linking ancient wisdom with modern educational practices. He also reflected on the essence of Life Skills—self-awareness, problem-solving, empathy, and decision-making—which are indispensable for adolescents navigating challenges.

Session by Dr. Vega Sharma, Dr. Vega’s session focused on:

1. Adolescence and Its Changes – physical, emotional, and psychological transitions.

2. Gender – understanding gender identity and expression in inclusive classrooms.

3. Sexual Orientation – sensitizing educators to diversity, acceptance, and non-judgmental support.

Key Learning as a Counsellor: Adolescence is a sensitive stage where guidance must be rooted in empathy and inclusivity. Normalizing conversations around gender and sexual orientation helps reduce stigma and creates a safe space for students to express themselves.

Overall Reflections & Takeaways

As a counsellor/psychologist, the two-day training underscored the following:

• Leadership in schools and classrooms must go hand-in-hand with empathy and empowerment.
• Addressing mental health concerns early can prevent long-term difficulties.
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is not optional but an essential aspect of classroom practice.
• Integrating mindful practices (such as mindful eating) can strengthen emotional self-regulation in adolescents.
• The principles of Yamas and Niyamas can be effectively woven into modern education to instil values and discipline.
• Adolescence education must include open, informed, and sensitive discussions about identity, gender and orientation to promote inclusivity.
• The sessions were enriching and provided a holistic view of adolescent education, life skills, and classroom management. The learnings will significantly contribute to strengthening counselling practices and fostering emotionally resilient and well-adjusted students.