A day before the declaration of SSC results, students were in a pressure cooker situation, with telephone helplines set up by the board and other organizations working overtime. Most students expressed anxiousness about their results while many others seemed to be wilting under parental expectations, and being driven into depression.
The hype of pursuing careers either in engineering or medical has by now pervaded all sections of society. This is blamed for the significant rise in number of suicides by students, with some as young as 14 years feeling helpless about the situation and giving up on life.
A number of helplines were started to try and curb the rash of suicides. A district wise helpline for SSC students was inaugurated on June 1 for the same purpose. The helpline has received over 100 calls in the last 15 days, with some students on the verge of committing suicide, said sources managing the helpline.
AR Apte, SSC helpline counsellor for Nagpur district, said that the helplines have acted as a ray of hope for most children. He told TOI, "I have received approximately 100 calls since the HSC results were announced. Most students said that their parents want them to pursue engineering or medical, in such cases we offer them the myriad career choices available these days. Career counselling is a must for all kids now. They have almost no knowledge of any other courses."
The degree of stress experienced by students is not equal though. Siddhi Ozarkar, last year's SSC topper said she was not so nervous about her results being declared. She said, "I knew that I would score well, but I got more than what I expected. I had no idea I would top the exam from Nagpur division."
She added, "I was really curious a day before the declaration of my results, though I was not under any kind of pressure. Students who are unsure of clearing their papers must be under great pressure. These kids should understand that just one exam does not decide your future, neither does it judge the capabilities of the child. Parents should also give their children a sense of security and trust them."
Apte said parents are the main driving force behind the pressure building up on students. "There are new and interesting careers like hotel management and law, which promise a bright future. Parents need to broaden their horizons, and trust and respect their child's abilities. It is imperative for all of us to empathize with these children's plight. As part of counselling, we also conduct aptitude tests and IQ tests just to clear the air and avoid any confusion regarding which field to pursue," he said.
The hype of pursuing careers either in engineering or medical has by now pervaded all sections of society. This is blamed for the significant rise in number of suicides by students, with some as young as 14 years feeling helpless about the situation and giving up on life.
A number of helplines were started to try and curb the rash of suicides. A district wise helpline for SSC students was inaugurated on June 1 for the same purpose. The helpline has received over 100 calls in the last 15 days, with some students on the verge of committing suicide, said sources managing the helpline.
AR Apte, SSC helpline counsellor for Nagpur district, said that the helplines have acted as a ray of hope for most children. He told TOI, "I have received approximately 100 calls since the HSC results were announced. Most students said that their parents want them to pursue engineering or medical, in such cases we offer them the myriad career choices available these days. Career counselling is a must for all kids now. They have almost no knowledge of any other courses."
The degree of stress experienced by students is not equal though. Siddhi Ozarkar, last year's SSC topper said she was not so nervous about her results being declared. She said, "I knew that I would score well, but I got more than what I expected. I had no idea I would top the exam from Nagpur division."
She added, "I was really curious a day before the declaration of my results, though I was not under any kind of pressure. Students who are unsure of clearing their papers must be under great pressure. These kids should understand that just one exam does not decide your future, neither does it judge the capabilities of the child. Parents should also give their children a sense of security and trust them."
Apte said parents are the main driving force behind the pressure building up on students. "There are new and interesting careers like hotel management and law, which promise a bright future. Parents need to broaden their horizons, and trust and respect their child's abilities. It is imperative for all of us to empathize with these children's plight. As part of counselling, we also conduct aptitude tests and IQ tests just to clear the air and avoid any confusion regarding which field to pursue," he said.
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