Holding the ‘performance grading’ of students as a major factor driving them to commit suicide at educational institutions, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called upon lecturers to find innovative methods of teaching by using latest technologies instead of exerting pressure on the youngsters by putting them through the routine class work that virtually shuts them from the outside world.
He said the government would fix responsibility in all cases of suicide by getting them thoroughly investigated and implement recommendations of the Neerada Reddy and Chakrapani committees in the due course.
Intervening in a discussion on ‘suicides by students in educational institutions’ raised under Rule 344 in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Naidu said the college managements should give students a break from the daily grind to ease the burden on them and understand that only a fair amount of practical training coupled with technology-assisted teaching would yield better results.
‘Create stress-free environment’
A stress-free environment is the need of the hour, the Chief Minister said, asserting that ranks and seats should not be achieved at the cost of students’ lives.
Mr. Naidu said 268 out of 811 colleges that were inspected by a high-level committee, were derecognised and 228 colleges were put on notice for violation of norms. The process of inspection of other colleges was under way, and the government was of the view that the colleges should conduct classes only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as recommended by experts.
The CM also stressed the need to enhance the skills of teachers whose inefficiencies impact the learning capabilities of students. Unfortunately, students not faring well were discriminated and looked down upon. This was another significant reason for students killing themselves, he said and cautioned the parents against forcing their children to obtain high ranks.
TDP MLAs slam YSRC
Human Resource Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said committees headed by Regional Inspection Officers were constituted in all 13 districts and penalties up to ₹50 lakh were being imposed for failure to comply with the rules.
Telugu Desam MLA Ms. Anitha and other MLAs criticised the the YSR Congress Party for politicising the student suicides in Chaitanya and Narayana Colleges by raising hackles over the relationship between Ministers P. Narayana and Ganta Srinivasa Rao.
She said 15 suicides took place in the current year in those colleges and action should be taken against those responsible for the incidents but the larger picture should be taken in the sense that the number of private colleges was more than 2,000.