This Dubai school has a 'Happiness Hallway'

Dubai - The hallway has two birds perched at its very entrance warbling sweetly as if warmly welcoming the visitors.

The Indian High School in Oud Metha is "high" on happiness. The school has given its students, parents and staff yet another reason to smile by inaugurating a first-ever 'Happiness Hallway' in the country. Since colours play an important role in boosting one's mood, the school has designed a colourful hallway, virtually at the heart of the school (next to the school reception) which they call as "happy" space for receiving parents and other visitors to the school.
The hallway was inaugurated by Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), on the school premises on Thursday.

The hall is a single window for all parents - for clarifications and reporting of issues - to all departments of the school, both academic and administrative. One of the representatives from the Happiness team - about 7 of them - will usher the parents to the vibrant Happiness Hallway dotted with colourful benches, rugs and table and chairs - all painted by the students.
"Each bench holds the names of the students that worked on them. The walls on either side display the myriad charitable endeavours the school has pursued. Towards the end of the hallway the walls hold inspiring quotes and statements that are meant to remain in the reader's mind," said IHS student Vivek Rao.
The hallway has two birds perched at its very entrance warbling sweetly as if warmly welcoming the visitors.
Also present during the inauguration were two friendly small pet dogs that were adding to the cheer in the hallway by being playful and interacting with all guests present. "The school, on exam days, even allows students to bring pets to alleviate stress," Vivek said.
"There are a few private rooms that are lit with mood-lighting in order to provide a comfortable, soothing environment for people to share their feelings in a relaxed environment," said one of the Happiness ambassadors of IHS, Kritagya Arora.
The parents will be received by a 'happiness representative' from the school staff who will then escorts them to the happiness hallway. There they can meet the teachers in a cheerful environment.
The layout and the décor are designed to create an ambience of happiness and hope.
IHS CEO, Dr Ashok Kumar, said: "Happiness should be a way of life, something to be practiced and inculcated in every step of the way. The happiness hallway aims to create an aura of positivity, helping to develop productive relationships with our parents."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE