With students facing academic and classroom pressure, government schools across Punjab will continue a dedicated 20 minutes “mental health period” every day under the state’s mindfulness programme till August 31.The session will be held in government middle, high and senior secondary schools across the state. It has been made part of the regular school timetable instead of being held as an extra activity.Schools have been asked to keep 20 minutes as the first period of the day for the sessions. To make room for it, five minutes will be cut from each of the last three periods.According to a letter issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Punjab on August 8, the programme has been extended under Mission Samarth. It was earlier scheduled to continue only till the end of May.The programme aims to help students manage stress, improve concentration and learn better in the classroom. During the sessions, students will take part in breathing exercises, guided reflection, affirmations and gratitude activities.Teachers have been given activity sheets for the sessions and asked to follow a 12 steps process given in the mindfulness booklet.The sessions will be conducted by class incharges under the supervision of school heads. The department has directed school heads to ensure that the activities are conducted regularly and as per the prescribed guidelines.The programme is aimed at making stress management and concentration exercises part of the daily school routine. The revised timetable allows schools to conduct the 20 minutes session without increasing the total school hours.With the extension, these activities will continue to be part of the daily routine for students in government middle, high and senior secondary schools across Punjab till August. SCERT has directed all district education officers and school heads to ensure compliance with the instructions and has termed the matter “most urgent”.