Why are students in Telangana’s corporate colleges so distressed?

HYDERABAD: The suicide of two girl students in the city on Thursday has yet again brought to fore the lack of mechanisms to prevent such incidents in corporate colleges and schools. Despite a number of student suicides being reported in the recent past in Hyderabad, very little has been done to ensure the safety and protection of children studying in these colleges. 

Students Express spoke to describe their college hours as ‘torturous’, as priority is only given to scoring marks, thereby bringing laurels to the institution. “We have two tests every week -- one to gauge us on the regular syllabus and other to prepare us for the entrance tests,” said one student. “Classes are held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and in between these 10 long hours we get only a 15-minute break for lunch. We have to gobble down our food seated in our own places,” the student added.

Even stepping out to use the washroom requires special permission. “Lecturers will question us on what we did during the break time.”The weekly tests are conducted for 20 marks. Anyone scoring less than 15 would have to face a humiliating lecture. “A lot of our classmates used to break down in the initial days. They would say things like, gadulu laga perigi, chadavalani teliyada (You have grown up like donkeys, but do not have the sense to study!)

We work hard, but it does not help,” added the 16-year-old. This practice continues to be a regular affair. Demands for the appointment of counsellors in colleges to help students cope with stress have gone in vain, says Achyuta Rao, from city-based child rights organisation, Balala Hakkula Sangham. “Schools claim they have counsellors who visit twice a month. However, no counselling sessions take place,” he said. 

The State government too has not issued any instructions to appoint counsellors in schools. “There is a methodology in teacher training which talks about ways to address grievances of children. Teachers in government schools also offer counselling,” informed Vijaya Kumari, district education officer, Sangareddy. 

“Parents should change the way they communicate with their children,” suggests Jayanti Sundar Rajan, consultant psychologist with Roshni Counseling Centre. “I often tell parents that it is fine to not score the best marks. Also, this generation gets distracted easily while they have high potential. We should find healthy ways to engage their distraction,” she said.

Intermediate student found hanging in classroom

Wanaparthy: An Intermediate first year student allegedly committed suicide at Jagruthi Junior College in Wanaparthy district headquarters on Friday. Shiva Shanti’s body was found hanging in one of the classrooms. Since the college management shifted her body to a hospital without informing the parents, her family members alleged that the college was responsible for her death. They also vandalised furniture in the college. Police registered a case of suspicious death.

If you are in distress

These suicide prevention helplines could help avert a disaster
181 - a 24/7 helpline launched by the Women and Child Welfare department for   women in distress 
040 - 6620 2000/2001 - is a free helpline by Roshni which offers counselling between 11 am and 9 pm. 

Past cases

October 12: 20-year-old Btech student commits suicide; 17-year-old taking NEET coaching committed suicide 
August 29: 17-year-old student from Narayana Junior College found hanging from ceiling fan 
August 26: An 18-year-old student in Narayana Junior College in Madhapur found hanging from ceiling fan