Pressure of Performance Getting to Students: Suicide Rates in Kota on the Rise

Kota, the coaching hub of India, has been known for producing doctors and engineers. But lately, Kota has been in the news due to the rise in suicide rates. According to the media reports of the recent suicide of three students preparing for competitive exams in a coaching centre in Kota have committed suicide. Every year more than 1 lakh students come to Kota hoping to achieve their goals. But due to rising competition in these entrance exams, every student cannot achieve their dream.

According to a report, as many as 14 students have committed suicide in Kota this year. The alarming number raises several questions about the education system. The intense pressure that students experience as they vie for seats at the country's best higher education institutes leads to the justification of rising numbers in suicide rates.

Further, concerning the situation, the government has directed all the coaching institutes to ensure a stress-free environment and appoint student counsellors. The coaching institutes have been directed to give students rest on Sundays, and no test must be conducted on mondays. Furthermore, quarterly parent-teacher meetings and attendance monitoring were guidelines issued by the government to all coaching institutes.

Also Read: UGC Instructs HEIs to Encourage Students and Faculty to Register on 'FIT INDIA' Portal 

College Suicide Rates and Statistics

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2021, the number of student suicides last year reached a five-year high. In 2021, more than 13,000 students committed suicide, up from around 12,500 the year before. An NCRB study from 2020 found that a student commits suicide every 42 minutes. A Lancet report also claims that NCRB data is an undercount.

According to another report, In Kota, 58 students committed suicide between 2013 and 2017. The increasing figures of suicide rates among students have undoubtedly a link between high competitive environment and a devastating toll on mental health. 

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