<p>“Go, establish your name” When Rahul Kaushik, 16, of Behror left for Kota, Rajasthan’s competitive student town, his lawyer father informed him of this. Rahul, who traveled to Kota with his sister, is now attending Jodhpur for his MBBS program. His sister Manashvi also passed the NEET exam and was given admission to a medical school in Sikar, Rajasthan. They prevailed in the race.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-151590″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-download-2023-08-29t182642.668-11zon.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com download 2023 08 29t182642.668 11zon” width=”1023″ height=”681″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-download-2023-08-29t182642.668-11zon.jpg 275w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-download-2023-08-29t182642.668-11zon-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 1023px” title=”Why are there so many suicides among students in Kota? 18″></p>
<p>However, the strain of the severe grind of coaching institutes and the rat race to the top proved too much for Avishkar Sambhaji Kasle of Maharashtra and Adarsh Raj of Bihar. They were the most recent victim of Kota’s competitive exam preparation industry. Raj hung himself in his dorm room under the ceiling fan while Kasle leaped from the sixth level of his coaching facility.</p>
<p>So far in 2023 alone, 23 students who wanted to be engineers and physicians have killed themselves. The statistic is significantly greater than it was the year before, when 15 students committed suicide. 18 students committed suicide in 2019, 20 did so in 2018, seven did so in 2017, 17 did so in 2016, and 18 did so in 2015. In Kota, there were no reports of student suicide in 2020 or 2021 since coaching facilities were closed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.</p>
<p>Why are there so many school deaths in Kota?</p>
<p>Rahul brought up a very important issue, namely that kids at Kota coaching institutions experience a lot of pressure. Although it may not be their objective, students who live alone and distant from their families feel the effects of this strain on their minds.</p>
<p>Every two to three weeks, they provide a test to gauge how well they have learned the material. The course material is not overwhelming at first, but with time it builds up and becomes challenging for the students,” Rahul stated.</p>
<p>Now, some may counter that the only way that excellent institutions are meant to operate is via teaching, followed by a check to see whether the students have learnt anything.</p>
<p>But then they post the results on the notice board for everyone to see, Rahul said. The top 10, top 100, and those who failed the exam are listed separately. The issue is in this area. This is what puts pupils under strain.</p>
<p>Additionally, coaching facilities in Kota go through the material quickly, making it difficult for anybody who falls behind to catch up.</p>
<p>Additionally, he said, “there are students who are under tremendous pressure to succeed because their families are not wealthy and they have borrowed money from banks or family members to pay for their education.</p>
<p>Where exactly is the issue?</p>
<p>In contrast, Vinay Sharma, a chemistry instructor at one of Kota’s top teaching facilities, requests anonymity.</p>
<p>“Our institutions ensure that we provide every student that comes to us the greatest possible instructional services. But a kid has to be aware that he will need to study since there will be a nationwide competition, and it won’t be simple or stress-free, he added.</p>
<p>Additionally, he told us that rank creation following tests had long since been abandoned and that most institutions had put up an extra assistance desk to provide students review on any areas they may have missed for whatever reason.</p>
<p>“See. The pressure is undeniable. The strain is increased by parents’ expectations. And then some also become engaged with other things, such as romantic relationships, friendships, etc. However, we have mentoring programs and psychologists on staff to assist kids with their problems. Each life is valuable, but nothing can be done if they won’t come forward, he said.</p>
<p>What is the remedy?</p>
<p>A minister in the Rajasthan administration headed by Ashok Gehlot proposed the drastic measure of shutting down the tutoring system. However, this can’t be the answer.</p>
<p>For the next two months, the government has ordered the coaching organizations to halt administering exams. A committee has also been established to recommend safeguards. Bhawani Singh Detha’s committee requested that coaching facilities plan enjoyable events and provide inspirational material on their internet portals for pupils at its inaugural meeting.</p>
<p>Reducing the curriculum is another suggestion made by the committee. Additionally, coaching organizations are required to refer test-failure and persistent absences to counselors.</p>
<p>There are limits to what the government, coaching organizations, or parents can do in terms of preventing student suicide. There are three areas where efforts are required. First, families must realize that each kid has a unique potential and that it is improper to force their wards into being someone they do not want to be.</p>
<p>The coaching institutes must simplify their operations and stop using procedures that place undue mental strain on pupils. Given that every life is valuable, the government must make sure that all rules are observed by these institutions and that help is always accessible.</p>
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