Dear Reader,
I am writing to you today about a pressing issue that is plaguing the education system in India. The mental health and well-being of India's students are at grave risk, and it's crucial that we take action to address these issues and prioritize student well-being in the education system to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Every week, we hear news of young students dying by suicide due to academic pressure and discrimination. The recent deaths of nine students in Andhra Pradesh after the results of class 11 and 12 exams were declared is just one example of this heartbreaking reality. It is important to note that suicide is a complex issue and cannot be attributed to a single cause.
In Gujarat alone, 3,002 students died by suicide in the last five years, according to the NCRB’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report. Over 13,000 students died by in 2021 in India at the rate of more than 35 every day, a rise of 4.5% from the 12,526 deaths in 2020 with 864 out of 10,732 suicides being due to "failure in examination" according to the latest data as per NCRB's ADSI report 2021.
This is not normal, and it's a crisis that cannot continue. Discrimination based on identity and background continues to plague our education system, making it harder for students to succeed. The pressure to perform is overwhelming, and it's taking a toll on the mental health of India's students.
Some of the most common reasons are that :
- Parents and teachers often have high expectations, which can lead to students feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
- The education system in India is highly competitive, with limited opportunities for higher education and employment. This creates a stressful and competitive environment, where students feel like they have to outperform their peers to succeed.
- Many students do not receive adequate support for their mental health and well-being. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are still stigmatized in India, and there is often a lack of access to mental health resources and counseling services.
- Discrimination based on caste, gender, religion, and socioeconomic background continues to plague the education system in India. Students from marginalized communities often face barriers to success, and are more likely to experience mental health issues due to the stress of discrimination.
- The traditional education system in India focuses on rote learning and memorization, which can be tedious and boring for students. This leads to a lack of engagement in the learning process, which can lead to stress and anxiety.
Parents want their children to perform best and get top ranks or maximum marks. Even though we say that we don't pressurize our children, don't compare them with others, but still we do, which depresses them.It's time for a change. We need to demand policies that prioritize student well-being.
Solutions that can be implemented are that :
- We need to create a safe and supportive learning environment that empowers students to succeed and achieve their full potential.
- One solution is to implement mental health programs in schools and universities across India. These programs could provide counseling services, peer support groups, and other resources to help students cope with stress and anxiety.
- We also need to address the root causes of discrimination and bias in our education system by implementing policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Another solution is to shift the focus away from rote learning and towards more interactive and collaborative forms of learning. This would not only help reduce stress and anxiety but also foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, which are essential skills for success in the 21st century.
- The most important thing I feel is that students must be taught about real world life skills, practice meditation and other things that are not in books but will help them survive through various circumstances.
We also need to empower students to speak out about their experiences and advocate for change. The #KakshaCrisis campaign is a great example of this. This campaign has been advocating for change in the education system for the last three years, but one campaign is not enough. We need a collective effort to make lasting change.
In conclusion, the mental health and well-being of India's students are at stake, and it's time for us to take action. Let's demand policies that prioritize student well-being, implement mental health programs in schools and universities, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, shift towards more interactive and collaborative forms of learning, and empower students to speak out about their experiences and advocate for change.
Together, we can create a safe and supportive learning environment that empowers students to succeed and achieve their full potential. Let's make a difference and take action today.
Sincerely,
Pooja Singh