• 10
  Jan 2026

• The Atmosphere Between Lessons: What Happens in the In-Betweens?

  
  

  Dr. Dipika Das | International Studies

If you ever wish to assess the true health of a school, don’t begin with reports, rankings, or statistics. Simply watch the corridors. They tell the real stories; stories of laughter, movement, and connection. The warmth in greetings, the tone of conversations, and the comfort between teachers and students all reveal the school’s happiness quotient.

One morning, during my usual round, I noticed a group of students near the staircase whispering, smiling, and sharing something among themselves. A teacher passed by, paused, and joined their laughter for a brief moment. It was such a simple scene, yet it spoke volumes of trust and belonging; the invisible spirit that keeps a school alive.

The Pomodoro technique teaches us that every stretch of focus needs a pause for rest and renewal. Likewise, school breaks are not wasted time; they are moments when emotions breathe and relationships grow. What matters is how students use that time, how they interact, what they discuss, and how they support one another. Their laughter, gestures, and togetherness all add to the happiness quotient of the school.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be closed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.”

This timeless thought reminds us that schools, too, should be open spaces where ideas, perspectives, and cultures blend freely to nurture wisdom and empathy.

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam envisioned schools without rigid boundaries, where learning flows beyond walls and curiosity becomes the bridge between minds. When education embraces such openness, it shapes not just intellect, but also character and compassion.

Let our schools reflect this spirit where culture speaks through subtle movements, where curiosity walks the corridors, and where learning extends beyond textbooks. Let the whispers of students be gentle indicators of their comfort and growth.

As leaders, it is our duty to read these silent signals and adapt our approach with empathy and awareness. The true pulse of a school lies not in statistics, but in the harmony of its people, in laughter, kindness, and shared purpose.

All of it together measures the school’s happiness quantum.

• International Studies