Student deaths, missing cases raise concerns over board exam stress in Telangana

A series of incidents involving student suicides, a suspicious death and missing children in Siddipet and Sangareddy districts has raised concerns over the mental and physical well-being of students ahead of the Class 10 board examinations. Psychologists have stressed the need for greater parental and institutional support, including regular counselling sessions, to help students cope with academic pressure.

Siddipet: As the 10th class examinations were fast approaching, the recent incidents indicate that there is a serious need to keep a watch on the mental and physical health of the students. In Siddipet district, two students committed suicide while another was found dead under suspicious circumstances during the last one month.

Maisanolla Sai Prakash (15), a resident of Dharmareddipalli in Gajwel mandal, committed suicide on November 12. Since he was refusing to attend school, parents insisted that he attend school until the board examinations were completed. Unable to continue his studies, the boy took the extreme step, leaving the family in a deep shock.

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In another incident, Aare Ramcharan (15) committed suicide by hanging at BC Residential Hostel in Wargal on November 4. The incident sparked protests from parents who accused a teacher of reprimanding him.

Earlier on October 24, another student Partham Pradeep (16), a resident of Vemulghat R&R Colony, was found dead in Pallepahad lake under suspicious circumstances. In Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Raghavur, a 10th class girl student Davulagalla Lasya (15) died after bleeding excessively on November 6.

The girl, who had her first menses in the school, died due to the alleged lack of proper care by school staff and the absence of immediate medical attention.

Not only these deaths, a couple of 10th class students went missing in Sangareddy district this week. A 10th class boy, who left for tuition from his home in Sangareddy on November 13, did not return home. His parents filed a complaint on Saturday after searching for him everywhere.

Meanwhile, a girl student of tribal welfare residential school, Sirgapur also went missing on Saturday after participating in Children’s Day celebrations. All these incidents indicate that the students may be battling severe stress while preparing for examinations.

Psychologist Srivalli Vadlamani underlined the importance of teachers and parents’ focus on mental and physical health of children since these students would spend hours preparing for the board examinations for the next few months.

She also suggested the education department officials conduct regular counselling sessions with qualified psychologists so that they can restrict such incidents besides guiding them to better prepare for the examinations.