CBSE, CISCE Take Bold Steps Towards Healthier Campuses: Fitness Boards, Reports, and Behavioural Change in Focus

Alarming health trends among school students—particularly increasing obesity and early onset of lifestyle diseases—have prompted India’s two major school boards, CBSE and CISCE, to act decisively. Through initiatives like the Sugar Board, Oil Board, and ACTIVE CISCE, these boards aim to transform school environments into hubs of health and wellness, integrating physical fitness and nutrition with students’ academic journeys.

This marks the country’s first structured and visual attempt to bring conversations about sugar intake, physical activity, and dietary awareness directly into classrooms and cafeterias.

Why This Shift Now? NFHS-5 Data and Global Trends

The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21) found that more than one in five adults in urban India are overweight or obese, pointing to patterns that often begin in childhood. To combat this, India is now aligning its education policy more closely with international best practices already adopted by countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

From Posters to Personalized Reports: What’s Changing in Schools

Schools across India are responding to the CBSE and CISCE directives in tangible ways:

• CBSE has asked affiliated schools to display Sugar Boards and Oil Boards with infographics and clear messaging about healthy eating.
• CISCE has launched the ACTIVE CISCE platform to track students' fitness from Classes 1 to 12, providing each child with a personalized fitness report card based on age and gender.

At Delhi Public School, Hinjawadi, Principal Dr. Jaya Parekh said student excitement around these initiatives encouraged the school to expand its health programs. DPS launched Samruja, inviting experts to speak on fitness, nutrition, and well-being.

The Oxford Senior Secondary School in Bengaluru implemented the Sugar Board in June. Posters warning against excessive sugar intake were placed not just in corridors but inside classrooms to ensure visibility and repetition.

At DPS Mysore, Principal Manju Sharma explained that teachers now begin their day discussing students’ sugar and carb consumption. For older students, the school has conducted a nutrition intake survey to inform awareness drives. The school also launched a Wellness Club to prepare engaging presentations on the risks of high sugar and oil diets.

Schools Take the Lead: Local Innovations and Parent Engagement

Some schools have been proactive even before formal instructions arrived. At Shiv Nadar Public School (CBSE), Gurugram, Principal Sameer Arora said the school redesigned its menu with the help of a nutrition company and parent volunteers. Now, their version of a “burger” has a wheat bun and a nutritious soya-vegetable patty. Beverages are traditional Indian drinks sweetened with jaggery instead of refined sugar.

WITTY International School in Mumbai, a CISCE-affiliated institution, had already banned canned items. Following parent requests, it implemented sugar boards after hosting meetings with staff, parents, and students. Principal Suchita Malakar shared how one parent emailed the school requesting visual awareness about sugar. Now, students drink one fresh fruit juice daily, and the cafeteria avoids processed foods entirely.

Behavioral Change Remains the Real Challenge

Despite the enthusiasm, educators and parents agree that visual reminders are only part of the solution. Changing habits—especially outside of school—remains difficult.

Principal Malakar recounted how her children used to hide canned juice bottles behind pillows. “The cheap cost and accessibility of junk food have made this much harder for modern families. Junk food was an occasional treat in our childhood; now it’s a daily craving,” she said.

Parent Aarti Srivastava pointed out how long school hours, sedentary routines, and lack of playground space exacerbate the issue. She noted that even schools with fitness policies often sell unhealthy items in their canteens.

Another parent from Delhi shared how her second-grade daughter kept asking for money to buy chocolates after seeing her classmates do the same. Despite raising the concern with teachers, the school’s proximity of the canteen to classrooms made change difficult.

Parental Bodies Call for Monitoring, Not Just Messaging

Leaders of parent associations echoed the need for deeper change:

• Aprajita Gautam, President of the Delhi Parents Association (DPA), noted that topics like nutrition and menstruation are often taught for exam purposes, not personal development.
• Sukhpal Singh, founder of the NCR Parents Association, added that real progress would come through inspection, digital awareness campaigns, and government-backed enforcement, not just signage.

“There’s a contradiction when schools teach about health but sell Coke, chips, and chocolates in the same campus,” Gautam said.

What States Are Doing: Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab

Several state governments have also joined in, complementing central board directives:

• In Assam and Karnataka, schools are distributing health posters and enforcing cafeteria checks.
• Punjab and Bihar are using government portals and awareness camps to promote healthy lifestyles.

Each of these initiatives is a step toward institutionalizing good health habits in young learners—but experts caution that without follow-through, these campaigns risk being superficial.

International Examples: What India Can Learn

India’s efforts reflect a global trend toward holistic student health:

• Japan began school health programs in the 19th century. By 1958, it had mandated school physicians and routine health checks under a School Health Law.
• Canada promotes health through a four-part model: policy, partnerships, learning, and school environment.
• The US uses the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, partnering with states and schools to fight chronic disease and promote well-being.

These examples stress multi-stakeholder collaboration, frequent health assessments, and practical daily routines—not just theoretical education.

Conclusion: A Promising Start, but Long Road Ahead

CBSE and CISCE have taken a bold first step with structured programs promoting health awareness on campus. From visual messaging to digital fitness records, the momentum is strong. However, long-term success will depend on sustained effort from schools, parents, society, and policymakers—and most importantly, on nurturing behavioural change in students that lasts well beyond school hours.