The Tamil Nadu government is in the final stages of launching social media-based counselling for students on examinations, said an official from the School Education department. Besides helping reduce stress, it could also improve their academic performance, as fear of examination is considered to be a key factor that prevents the students to performing to their potential.

Officials said the department would join hands with select NGOs to launch this special campaign targeted at school students.

According to the official, the campaign aims to help high school and higher secondary level students from all school to overcome undue stress, fear and depression, especially during exam time. Realising the pressures that an average student has to bear these days, the government had earlier organised counselling sessions for students during examination time. “Though many students made use of this facility last year, a few students refused to speak directly to experts. As most of them use internet, we hence decided to use social media as a platform for this initiative,” he added.

This social media drive, which is supported by professional counsellors, would be available throughout the year. The plan is to put in place a system where students can reach out to the professionals through multiple platforms – Facebook, Twitter, an exclusive WhatsApp number and email ID. “Experts and social media counsellors will respond immediately when a student seeks help through the official page,” he said.

The official added that besides helping them beat exam blues, the counselling would also focus on academic achievement, behavioural improvement, better attendance, and help students become socially active. 

In addition to this, positive messages, phrases, photos and videos would also be uploaded online to motivate students and also to give them confidence ahead of examinations. Based on the response from students to this initiative, the department is also planning to launch an exclusive app for counselling.