In addition to schools, dedicated play spaces will be set up in rural areas as well as in residential complexes in cities to ensure children have opportunities to play.
Thiruvananthapuram: The General Education Department has launched the ‘Sneham’ scheme to create ‘play groups’ in schools and neighbourhoods in order to reduce mental stress among children. In addition to schools, dedicated play spaces will be set up in rural areas as well as in residential complexes in cities to ensure children have opportunities to play.
The decision to frame guidelines for the Sneham scheme, which will be implemented for students from Classes I to IX, was taken at a meeting convened by General Education Secretary K Vasuki.
Also Read
Schools will be issued strict instructions to allow the two weekly sports periods to be utilised entirely for play. Teachers will be trained to supervise this, and schools will be encouraged to find ways to provide additional playtime.
After school hours, efforts will be made in coordination with panchayats and residents’ welfare associations to ensure children have at least one hour a day to play. Parents will also be made aware of the need to respect and recognise children’s rights.
Objectives of the Sneham scheme
- Playtime will help reduce physical and mental stress.
- Interaction through play will promote friendship, togetherness and social awareness.
- Play groups will help children develop the mindset and habits needed to learn to cope with failure and strive for success.
Class 7 student phones Education Minister
The focus on children’s right to play was recently highlighted by an incident involving a Class 7 student from Kozhikode district. Muhammad Farhan, a student of Keezhppayur AUP School, phoned General Education Minister V Sivankutty after his school reportedly held classes during the Christmas vacation, despite official instructions that holidays should be free of academic activities.
Having heard the minister’s public statement on the issue, the student took the bold step of seeking the minister’s intervention, eventually earning his approval to prioritise play during the vacation.
Published: 05 Jan 2026, 02:07 pm IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.