Bhopal: Surge in calls to MPBSE helpline surprises counsellors

Bhopal: The MP Board of Secondary Education’s (MPBSE) helpline for students has received a staggering 6,500 calls since January 15, when it opened. It is receiving more than 300 calls per day – double the last year’s figure.

The MPBSE had launched the helpline in 2007 for students of classes 9 to 12. The helpline is meant to guide the students and help them remain free from exam stress. The helpline opens a month before the board exam and continues to function till the declaration of the results of the supplementary exams. Two toll free numbers will be available to the students from January 15 to August 15 this year, against one last year.

The number of female and male students calling the helpline is almost equal though the calls from rural areas outnumber those from urban centres. Most of the students want to know what should they do to find a place in the in merit list and also to get laptops under a scheme launched by the state government.

In-charge of the helpline centre, Hemant Sharma told Free Press, “The number of caller is higher than the last year. The average number of calls is up from 150 per day to 300. We are also surprised by this jump. I think the reason is that students are more aware than earlier; and also they are satisfied with our service.”

“We put the information about the service on the portal of the Board and also send information to the district education officers,” he said. He said that last year, the helpline was opened from February 1 but this year it was made operational from January 15 because the examinations of class 9 and 11 are schedule to start from Feb 15 and of class 10 and 12 from first week of March. It will continue to function till August 15”

He said that number of callers from the rural areas is higher because the students who live in city have other options. “The helpline functions from 8 am to 8 pm in four shifts. We have 20 counsellors with four working in each shift. We also do career counselling after the results are out,” Sharma added.

Gaurav Shrivastava who has been working at the helpline centre since 2007 as counsellor, said, “We are receiving a large number of calls. Some want tips on how to learn things quickly; others ask how they can secure good marks even though they have a short time at their disposal for preparations. They also ask how they can write answers well. We also get queries about the time table, model paper and pattern of questions. Parents also call us to know how they can keep their children stress-free. Some local students also visit the centre for counselling along with their parents,” he said.