Chandigarh's Mental Health Push Clashes with Counsellor Employment Realities
In Chandigarh, a significant discrepancy has emerged between ambitious mental health initiatives in government schools and the precarious working conditions of the counsellors tasked with implementing them. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of two major developments: the rollout of "Project SAATHI" by the UT administration and revised affiliation norms from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in January 2026, which mandate full-time school counsellors.
Project SAATHI: A Structured Intervention with Systemic Gaps
Project SAATHI, currently operating as a six-month pilot program, represents a structured, school-based intervention targeting students in classes VII, VIII, IX, and XI. The initiative includes daily 40-minute sessions incorporating activities like yoga, meditation, and guided discussions. It also provides training for teachers and counsellors to identify early signs of mental distress among students. Officials have described Project SAATHI as a crucial step toward building a systematic response to growing issues of anxiety and depression in educational settings.
However, despite this progressive framework, the institutional support for the 90 counsellors working in Chandigarh's government schools remains deeply problematic. Documents, tender records, and formal representations indicate that the employment conditions of these counsellors are inconsistent with the program's goals and CBSE's regulatory requirements.
Contractual Vulnerabilities and Unpaid Vacations
A primary concern is the continued engagement of counsellors through outsourcing agencies, coupled with a payment structure that excludes wages during school breaks. Counsellors are paid for only ten months of the year, with no compensation during summer, autumn, and winter vacations. This practice directly contradicts CBSE's stipulation for full-time counsellors, as highlighted in a representation submitted by the Chandigarh Teachers Association (CTA).
An official communication from the Directorate of School Education, dated October 2025, reinforces the administration's stance. It states that outsourced employees are not entitled to wages during vacation periods, as their service conditions are governed by contractual provisions and "no counselling services are required" when schools are closed. This interpretation treats the counsellor role as need-based rather than continuous, despite CBSE framing it as essential, full-time institutional staff.
Dual Accountability and Operational Ambiguities
The outsourcing structure is formalized through a tender mechanism that creates a dual accountability system. The tender document specifies that the service provider acts as the legal employer, responsible for wage payments, compliance with labor laws, and statutory contributions such as EPF and ESI. Simultaneously, work allocation, supervision, duty charts, and performance oversight are managed by school authorities and the education department.
This split arrangement has led to significant operational ambiguities. Counsellors report that while contractors are formally responsible for salaries, their day-to-day functioning—including assignments, schedules, and grievance handling—is determined at the school level. Several counsellors, speaking anonymously, revealed they have not received formal copies of their contracts, with extensions often communicated only through messages.
Furthermore, counsellors frequently undertake duties beyond counselling, such as teaching assignments, depending on school requirements. Payment timelines are another critical issue; although tender conditions mandate wage disbursement by the 7th of each month, counsellors report frequent delays, with salaries often credited after the 20th, including in the current cycle.
Historical Disputes and Legal Perspectives
Past disputes have further complicated the landscape. A previous outsourcing agency allegedly defaulted on EPF deposits for five months, a matter still under consideration by the education department. Counsellors indicate that such issues with contractors have recurred over time, undermining continuity and trust in the system.
CTA legal adviser Arvind Rana has emphasized that binding CBSE norms regarding full-time counsellors must be implemented in practice and cannot be overridden by contractual arrangements. The director of school education, Nitish Singla, remained unavailable for comment on these matters.
Regulatory Framework and Broader Implications
The regulatory framework underscores the tension at play. CBSE's January 2026 revised affiliation norms reiterate that schools must appoint full-time counsellors (wellness teachers) to address students' social and emotional needs, treating this as mandatory infrastructure. Parallelly, labor law provisions referenced in the Chandigarh tender require timely payment of minimum wages and regular deposit of statutory dues like EPF, ESI, and gratuity.
This situation raises a broader policy question: as Chandigarh expands structured mental health interventions through initiatives like Project SAATHI, the alignment between program design and the employment conditions of counsellors becomes a critical factor in determining effectiveness. The dual accountability model, splitting responsibilities between contractors and school authorities, creates gaps in accountability, particularly when delays in salary, non-payment during vacations, or compliance issues arise.
The ongoing challenges highlight the need for a cohesive approach that ensures counsellors are supported as integral, full-time staff, in line with both educational mandates and labor protections, to truly advance student mental health outcomes in Chandigarh's government schools.
