In today's Tamil Nadu, teaching is no longer limited to the delivery of textbook knowledge. Educators are evolving into mentors, emotional anchors, and key enablers of student well-being.

Amid rising expectations and diverse student needs, the role of a teacher has expanded dramatically.

However, while responsibilities have grown, many teachers remain underprepared for these new demands, revealing a need for systemic support, training, and accountability.

The Emotional Gap in Classrooms
Tamil Nadu, known for its emphasis on education, is also seeing a rise in student stress, anxiety, and emotional struggles—issues that are often invisible but impactful. A recent study in the state showed that only 11% of secondary-level teacher trainees possessed high emotional intelligence (EI), underscoring a critical gap. Without emotional readiness, teachers—who are the first line of support for many students—struggle to manage and respond to their students' emotional challenges effectively.

Emotional intelligence is not just an optional soft skill. It forms the foundation of a compassionate classroom. Educators who can recognize and manage emotions create trusting, low-stress environments where students can thrive. In this context, training programs that enhance EI become essential—not only for student outcomes but for the well-being of teachers themselves.

Upskilling: A Lifelong Need
Addressing this gap requires shifting from short-term certification to continuous, real-world-based teacher development. Lifelong upskilling should focus on:

• Emotional intelligence and trauma sensitivity: Equipping teachers to address hidden student struggles.
• Career and college counseling: Crucial for students in rural areas with limited guidance resources.
• Mindfulness and resilience: Helping educators and students manage exam-season stress and burnout.
• Gender sensitivity and inclusion: Particularly relevant in Tamil Nadu, where gender roles can affect student choices and mental health.

Such training transforms teachers into mentors—what the IC3 Movement calls “10 percent counselors”—capable of guiding students beyond academics.

Tamil Nadu: A Testing Ground for Transformation
Despite progressive policies and a strong public education system, Tamil Nadu still faces challenges. Many students, particularly in high-stakes years like Class 10 and 12, face immense pressure, often without adequate emotional support. Teachers, burdened with administrative tasks, struggle to offer personal attention or counseling.

However, the state is also rich with opportunities. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes competency-based learning, creating an opening to re-imagine teachers not as content dispensers but as holistic guides. Programs like IC3's Gatekeeper Training and School Play Initiative exemplify how educators can be empowered to support student mental health. These initiatives train teachers to identify early signs of distress and encourage students to express emotions through creativity and dialogue.

Mental Health: A Growing Priority
The importance of emotional support in schools is growing. Tamil Nadu's Tele-MANAS mental health helpline received over 80,000 calls in 2024—double the previous year—with peaks during board exam periods. This increase shows a clear need for proactive mental health interventions within schools.

Teachers, when trained to recognize signs of anxiety or emotional strain, can offer early support, redirecting students toward appropriate help before issues escalate. Embedding such training into regular teacher development is not just helpful—it's necessary.

From Rote Learning to Relevant Education
Traditional Indian education has emphasized memorization, competition, and fear-based teaching. The result: rising student disengagement, mental exhaustion, and emotional burnout. To reverse this trend, classrooms must shift from fear to empathy, from ranking students to nurturing their full potential.

This transformation begins with teacher training. When teachers are supported through continuous learning, they connect curriculum with real-world relevance. They bring joy back to learning, foster curiosity, and view students as individuals with unique stories and aspirations—not just exam scores.

A Multi-Level Call to Action
Transforming the teacher's role requires more than policy tweaks. It demands a reimagined approach to teacher development rooted in empathy, emotional awareness, and collaboration. One-off workshops aren't enough. Instead, holistic and ongoing support must be built into school systems.

Actionable steps for Tamil Nadu's schools and educators include:

• Participating in local and virtual workshops on emotional intelligence and counseling.
• Collaborating through teacher forums to share best practices.
• Starting peer-counseling clubs or student mentorship programs.
• Partnering with mental health professionals for regular check-ins and teacher training.

Moreover, blending mindfulness practices with counseling techniques can help teachers remain calm under pressure while supporting students through personal and academic challenges.

When Teachers Rise, Students Soar
The journey from teacher to mentor is both urgent and essential. In Tamil Nadu—and across India—students' futures depend not just on textbooks or test scores, but on how seen, supported, and understood they feel in classrooms. We must equip teachers with the emotional, social, and career guidance skills they need to guide students with confidence and care.

At IC3, we believe that student success begins with supported teachers. If educators are trained to lead with compassion, classrooms will become safe, inclusive spaces where every student is empowered to flourish—not only in academics but in life.

--Ganesh Kohli, Founder, IC3 Movement