Student Empowerment

In a significant step towards student empowerment and well-being, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched two major initiatives for the academic year 2025-26 — the CBSE Career Guidance Dashboard and the Counseling Hub and Spoke School Model. Announced on August 7 at the CBSE Integrated Office in Dwarka, these initiatives aim to equip students with both future-ready career planning tools and robust psychosocial support systems within schools. The Career Guidance Dashboard, accessible at cbsecareerguidance.in, is a digital platform offering students a wealth of resources for exploring career options in a structured and informed manner. It is designed to support students at various academic levels as they make decisions about their future educational and career paths. Complementing this, the CBSE Counseling Hub and Spoke Model introduces a community-based approach to mental health support. Under this model, selected CBSE-affiliated “hub” schools will serve as training and resource centres, offering guidance and best practices to surrounding “spoke” schools within their region. This connected network encourages collaboration, peer learning, and the development of emotionally resilient school environments. “The hub and spoke model is not just about guidance — it’s about creating a culture of care and shared learning among schools,” CBSE stated in its official communication. The launch event drew participation from over 500 school leaders, wellness coordinators, and counselors from across the country. During the event, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh, IAS underscored how these initiatives reflect the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, especially in making education more inclusive, student-centric, and technology-enabled. CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta, IAS also highlighted the urgent need for a more structured approach to mental health in schools and commended institutions that actively help students navigate academic and emotional challenges. A detailed session on the Counseling Hub and Spoke Model outlined its implementation roadmap, including roles, responsibilities, training protocols, and evaluation strategies to ensure consistent and measurable impact. The event also featured a keynote by Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE Controller of Examinations, who elaborated on the board’s post-NEP 2020 reforms. Panel discussions brought together voices from diverse schools, offering real-world insights into integrating career counseling and mental wellness into school systems. CBSE reaffirmed its commitment to holistic student development and called for stronger collaboration among educators, administrators, and mental health professionals. “With these initiatives, CBSE is reinforcing its mission to nurture not just academically successful students, but also emotionally and socially balanced individuals,” the Board said in its official statement. Source: Indian Express