Expressing serious concern over incidents of suicides by students of private educational institutions, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari has directed the managements to take steps to prevent such incidents.
Addressing a high-level review meeting with the officials of Education Department at the Secretariat on Monday, the Deputy CM advised private colleges to establish counselling centres to help the students. He said many students committed suicide due to the pressure of studies in corporate colleges and schools and other institutions. He asked officials to conduct a meeting with managements and parents’ associations to find a solution to the problem.
The Deputy CM also directed the officials to issue guidelines for all educational institutions on steps to be taken to prevent students’ suicides. He said there should be no pressure on students and education should be imparted in a congenial atmosphere. He said inspection should be done on regular basis to check whether or not the colleges were following those guidelines. He warned that the State Government would de-recognise the institutions in case they violate the guidelines.
Kadiyam Srihari also advised parents to get their children admitted only in courses which they are capable of studying without any pressure. He said the institutions should encourage and guide the children instead of treating them like prisoners. He said students living in hostels should be permitted to meet their parents or visit their homes whenever they want to.
The Deputy CM said pressuring the students to get high ranks for their institutions was an unhealthy trend and it should be curtailed. He also appealed to the students not to take any extreme steps like suicide as their lives are precious for their families and also the society.
The meeting was attended by Education Department Special Chief Secretary Ranjeev R Acharya, Director School Education Kishan, Board of Intermediate Commissioner A. Ashok and other senior officials. (INN