NCERT introduces personal safety lessons in Grade 4 textbook

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included personal safety guidance in the latest Grade 4 Environmental Studies (EVS) textbook to strengthen child protection efforts within the school curriculum.

This move reflects an increasing focus on integrating life skills into classroom learning to help children navigate potentially unsafe situations.

The content was developed with input from Arpan, a Mumbai-based NGO with nearly two decades of experience in preventing child sexual abuse.

Drawing on its Personal Safety Education (PSE) Program—implemented in schools across India—Arpan helped NCERT shape child-friendly content on topics such as “safe and unsafe touch.”

The material is designed to be age-appropriate, practical, and sensitive to a child's stage of development, aligning with the broader goals of national education policy.

By embedding messages about boundaries, trust, and seeking help, the revised textbook supports children in recognizing risky situations and empowers them to take action when necessary.

Arpan has previously worked with NCERT on similar initiatives, including contributions to the Grade 2 Hindi textbook, where early lessons on identifying unsafe scenarios were introduced to younger students.

“We are honored to have collaborated with NCERT on this important step. It is heartening to see prevention being prioritized so meaningfully, and we believe this will enable children across India to grow up feeling safer and having more agency,” said Pooja Taparia, CEO of Arpan.

“While Arpan has reached millions through teacher training, embedding these life skills into the curriculum ensures every generation of children is equipped to participate in their safety and be able to avert incidents that can greatly impact their well-being,” Taparia added.

As schools begin using the updated textbooks, educators and families have new opportunities to engage children in open discussions about safety, consent, and personal rights—laying the groundwork for more informed and secure learning spaces.