Colleges and boards are trying their best to reduce stress level of students with less than a month to go before the higher secondary certificate (HSC) board exams begin. While some are holding series of counselling sessions, others are putting up posters enlightening students and parents about the things they should do during the exam season. Some schools have even gone a step further and are having mandatory art of living classes for their students.
After the recent spate of suicides, the Mumbai division of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has issued letters to schools and colleges asking them to advise students to write the exams without fear. The division’s office has also issued letters to all institutions asking them to counsel students and parents, and meet the parents before the students appear for the exam.
The board has also asked colleges to put up messages on notice boards and posters in the college premises, which are visible to students, asking them to relax and be stress-free for the exams. There will also be a helpline for students which will start from February 10.
Some colleges have even taken to spirituality to help their students overcome the fear and stress of the exams. LS Raheja College of Arts and Commerce in Juhu is getting spiritual experts — Brahma Kumaris — to give students lessons in anti-depression and stress management.
q1“We thought spiritual lectures will also help students to de-stress,” said Minu Madlani, principal, LS Raheja College.
The Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) has also sent circulars to principals asking them to handle students with care. “The board has asked us to handle the students sensitively. The board’s helpline is also active now,” said Avnita Bir, principal, RN Podar School. The CBSE has also made a short movie on dealing with stress — smile through stress — which is uploaded on their website and schools have been asked to play for the students.
With all these preparations in place, this year, the board exams are expected to be a stress-free affair for students.
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