MOU between CBSE and NCB: Launching pilot drug-prevention initiative across 100 schools
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Home Affairs | Ministry of Education
CBSE and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have formalized a landmark MoU aimed at promoting drug-free schools. The agreement focuses on building awareness and preventive frameworks within educational institutions through collaborative interventions.
The initiative introduces a pilot programme across 100 CBSE schools using a hub-and-spoke model. It includes quarterly awareness drives, capacity-building workshops for principals, teachers and counsellors, e-learning modules, community outreach efforts, and ongoing counselling services for both students and parents. The launch event assembled over 500 school principals, counsellors and wellness teachers who participated in insightful sessions. These included leadership guidance for school systems and targeted messaging like "Refuse the First Dose, Secure the Future." The Tele-MANAS platform was positioned as an essential mental health support mechanism to complement early intervention efforts.
The MoU is to represent a shift toward preventive, school-centered responses to substance use challenges. By embedding education, counselling and mental well-being into student support structures, the partnership signals a strategic move toward safe and supportive learning environments.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How can the pilot drug-prevention model be effectively scaled across state and private school systems, ensuring capacity readiness, digital counselling support, and school-community integration?
Follow the full news here:
https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/Press_Release_CBSE_NCB_MoU_Signing_Ceremo_04092025.pdf