[Answered] Discuss the role of the education system and coaching centres in exacerbating mental health issues among students. Critically evaluate the government’s response to the mental health crisis among students.

Recently, cases of suicides among young students in Kota have raised concern regarding the role of the education system and coaching centres in exacerbating mental health issues among students in India. Although education is essential for both individual and societal growth, the Indian educational system’s high competitiveness and pressure, together with a large presence of coaching centres, have serious negative effects on students’ mental health.

What is the role of the education system and coaching centres:

• Focus on the competition: Academic achievement and competition are heavily emphasized in the Indian education system. A lot of pressure is placed on students to perform well on exams, especially board exams and competitive entrance exams for elite institutions and universities.
• Peer pressure: Peer pressure is very strong in India because of how competitive the educational system is. Students could feel pressured to compare themselves to their peers, which can cause anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
• Rote learning: Lack of critical thinking and creativity may result from a curriculum that places too much emphasis on rote memorization. The resultant worry and anxiety among students who feel caught in a cycle of memorizing might therefore be attributed to this.

What has been the Government’s response?

• Counseling sessions: Schools and colleges have been advised by the government to establish counseling services to help students cope with stress and mental health issues. However, these services are often under-resourced and insufficient to meet the demand.
• Policy initiatives: The government has introduced policies to reduce the emphasis on board exams and promote holistic education. However, the implementation of these policies varies across states, and the pressure on students remains high.
• Regulation of Coaching Centres: The government has proposed regulations for coaching centres to ensure quality education and reduce the pressure on students. However, the effectiveness of these regulations remains to be seen.
• Awareness Campaigns: The government has launched awareness campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. While these campaigns are important, they do not address the root causes of the problem.

Conclusion:

Suicide is the number one cause of death amongst those between 15 to 30 years of age — by far the highest in the world in this age group. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported, in 2020, that a student took their own life every 42 minutes; or, in other words, 34 students died by suicide every day. The government needs to focus more on providing budgetary support to the National Mental Health Programme.