Pune schools turn classrooms into spaces for empathy and emotional learning
Vishwashanti Gurukul World School’s 2026 teacher development programme included sessions on building a culture of empathy, emotional intelligence, conflict management and reflective classroom practices.
It hasn’t just changed how our children speak to one another in the playground; it has changed how our teachers speak to our children,” said Reneesh Matthew, principal, secondary school, VKE. My concentration in the classroom has improved,” said Ashiya Mittal, a student describing the impact of social-emotional learning. “We first began exploring this way of working, drawing on ideas from Denmark. For students, these lessons often translate into simple changes in how they handle everyday situations. “Whenever I am disturbed, I meditate.
At Victorious Kidss Educares (VKE), students from MYP Grades 1 to 5 are being introduced to a dedicated empathy curriculum this academic year. At VKE, teachers underwent training before the curriculum was introduced, with the school seeking to make empathy part of everyday teaching rather than a separate subject. Pune: A child pauses before reacting to a classmate; another learns to name what is making her angry, while a group discusses how the same situation may look different from another person’s point of view. Across Pune schools, such everyday classroom moments are increasingly being used to teach children skills beyond textbooks and examinations. The lessons use stories, case studies, open discussions, reflection exercises and real-life situations to help children understand emotions and respond to them constructively. The programme is being implemented through regular classroom interactions rather than as a standalone subject. Teachers have undergone training to lead reflective discussions, use real-life situations and help students examine their own responses to emotions and conflicts. The school’s existing IB approach also emphasises understanding different perspectives, reflection, collaboration and empathy. For students, the focus is on making empathy part of everyday interactions — from listening to classmates and including others in activities to recognising when someone may need support. VKE’s student expectations include being courteous, helping others, treating people with respect and appreciating differences.