Schools keep counsellors ready to soothe board examinees' nerves
Times of India | 16 February 2024
An HS student had decided to drop out of this year's board examination. He was counselled by his school and he finally changed his decision.
A student of a city private school was down with examophobia just before the start of ISC. Her school counselled and helped her come out of depression. She is appearing for her ISC exams now.
Several private and some state-run schools have started taking measures to deal with stress-related issues among students.The move comes in the wake of several examinees suffering panic attacks during the ongoing exam season.
"Prior to the form fill-up, he wanted to drop out and requested us to allow him to take fresh admission in class XI from the next academic session. Our teachers and counsellors were able to make him change his decision and overcome his fears. He will sit for the HS exam on Friday," said
Several schools have been conducting counselling sessions to help students deal with mental health issues. Some of the state board schools hired external counsellors for extra sessions. Jadavpur Vidyapith headmaster Partha Pratim Baidya said: "We felt students needed a platform to share their doubts and get their issues addressed. The sessions went very well."
Jodhpur Park Boys' School headmaster Amit Sen Majumder said: "We don't have counsellors but we share tele-calling numbers for proper guidance. A few numbers have been shared by the education department. We have forwarded them to our students."
Almost every private school affiliated to the central boards has a permanent counsellor to take care of mental health-related issues. CBSE class X and XII board exams started on Thursday and will continue till April 2. While ISC has already started, ICSE will start from February 21. Around 8 lakh candidates will appear in the HS that starts on Friday.
Indus Valley World School director Amita Prasad said: "Some of the board students shared their anxiety during their pre-boards. Some were very shaky and had to be counselled just before the maths exam. We always tell our children not to feel alone. We have given them numbers and asked them to call without any hesitation for any assistance." Vivekananda Mission School rector Arnab Chanda said: "We conduct counselling sessions throughout the year and during exams, a dedicated team is always there to provide assistance."
Many students, who took the CBSE exams, TOI spoke to admitted that they were stressed out and spent sleepless nights ahead of the exams. Shivansh Pathak, a class XII board student of Sudhir Memorial Institute in Liluah, said: "I studied till 1am last night and woke up at 4 in the morning to revise my whole syllabus before coming here to take my exam. I have been studying for 8-10 hours every day and it has been too hectic."
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