clipped from www.kansascity.com

Pursuit of happiness

“Pay attention at the back — but only if it doesn’t make you

upset.” The idea of teaching happiness in schools lends

itself irresistibly to caricature.

Recently, Lord Layard, a professor at the London School

of Economics, argued that happiness should be taught

alongside core subjects such as English and math. The

mental health and well-being of young people is important

in itself and can also help them to prepare for adult life.

But the idea of happiness lessons is a distraction.

The first problem is that happiness is not a teachable

subject. It is famously elusive and may be unattainable.

Happiness is also too varied to teach: A single set of

tools will not work for everyone.

Happiness at school cannot be taught in specific classes

or projects, but it can be spread through ethos and example.

From The Financial Times, London