Student suicides: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu warns college managements against exerting pressure on students

The number of student suicides in the state of Andhra Pradesh is on the rise and is causing grave concern among various quarters. Students, especially those in junior colleges, are ending their lives for multiple reasons. The reasons for most of these suicides have been identified as excessive pressure and stress exerted on the students to excel academically.

Even though the authorities have been adopting some measures to curb these unfortunate incidents, the results haven’t been heartening. Keeping the same in mind, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has issued a stern warning to all the college managements against exerting pressure on the students and “playing with their lives.”

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the CM said that the students were “being turned into machines and robots.”

A report in Hindustan Times quoted the Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as saying, “There are various reasons that are driving students to suicide, the prime cause being mounting stress and pressure. Even parents are exerting pressure on kids for a high score. Performance grading of students in colleges, health (problems), family problems, love failure, depression are some of the reasons. Some students are ending their lives (because they are) not willing to stay in hostels. Some are unable to cope with the high standards set by their institutes.”

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed disappointment over the fact that there’s no “physical literacy” being imparted to the students and they are being forced to study from 5 AM to 10.30 AM. This, the CM felt, is hampering the holistic development of the students.

“Even on Sundays and holidays, students are forced to appear for tests. No sports or games, no extra-curricular activity, no television or newspapers and no social responsibility. Students are being turned into machines and robots. This is very disturbing,” Naidu added.

He said that educational institutions should adapt newer methods of educating the students and make the whole process an enjoyable one.

He warned the managements that will put students under pressure. In his own words, “It’s not right to turn students into machines and robots. We will severely punish such managements.”

Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao was quoted as saying, “We have initiated a series of steps to ensure compliance of all norms by the managements of educational institutions. We have imposed heavy penalties ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh on some managements and de-recognised 237 colleges this year. We also issued notices to 194 colleges for running hostels illegally. We are sending inspection teams to colleges to ensure that they strictly comply with norms. We are taking serious measures to relieve the students of stress.”

Also, students can now inform the government officials regarding any mishaps or violations by the college management.