exam frown

Ranchi, Feb. 20: With higher secondary and intermediate examinations around the corner, there has been an increase in stress, anxiety and depression among students though their intelligence levels remain unaffected.

Quoting students, a psychologist at Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, A. K. Gupta, said many students have been paying him a visit since the past few days. ‘I am going to fail’ and ‘I cannot remember what I have learnt’ are some of the common complains being heard now, he said, and added that such statements are accompanied by “My parents want me to excel”.

About 4.58 lakh secondary and intermediate examinees across the state are expected to appear for the tests, which begin tomorrow. Other major school examinations, including ICSE, ISC and CBSE for Classes X and XII, would commence in the first week of March. As if on cue, psychiatrists have started getting more cases of students dealing with stress primarily because of “too much expectations from parents”.

Gupta said in the last month, several parents had visited him in Kanke and complained that their children are feeling insomniac, skipping studies or sporting escapist tendency. “But in all the cases I noticed that the intelligence level of the students concerned has not been affected,” he said, suggesting that the temporary problem is associated with exam scare. “The children need supportive consultation under such circumstances. Parents play an important role and are advised to be careful while dealing with such children.”

Most schools do not train students in the apt way to deal with the situation, said Devbrath Kumar, an assistant professor in Central Institute of Psychiatry.

In an effort to ease the pressure on students, Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has decided to give additional 15 minutes for students to go through the question paper and plan. However, the new schedule would be introduced in all subjects only from next year’s exams.

Meanwhile, authorities at secondary education directorate and JAC said foolproof preparations have been done for the smooth conduct of matriculation examinations in 510 centres and intermediate exams in 197 centres.