Help just a call away for stressed CBSE students

With board exams of classes 10 and 12 set to begin on March 1, anxiety levels of students and their parents are at an all-time high. To help students cops with the stress, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started pre-exam counselling.

It will use multiple modes of communication — telephonic counselling, question-answer columns in the media and online counselling through its website. The counselling service will be available up to April 17.

Students can either call up on a toll-free number or send an email. The team of respondents includes 59 school principals, trained counsellors from CBSE-affiliated government and private schools and psychologists. Of the total strength, 49 will be available in India while 10 are located in Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Japan, UAE and Kuwait.

Calls range from children seeking academic tips to stress calls. “Ahead of exams students look at very specific answers about time management or how to use textbooks effectively. During exams, the calls are about how not to let a bad exam affect those after that,” said Avnita Bir, principal, RN Podar School, Santacruz, who has been part of the programme since several years.

The board’s website will also have information relating to exams and techniques to cope with exam-related anxiety. It will  also provide counselling to specially abled children to take care of their needs.

Call: 1800 11 8004 (toll free)
Mail: directoracad.cbse@nic.in

OR mcsharma2007@rediffmail.com
Website: www.cbse.nic.in