Too Few Seats For The Kotas

Source– The post is based on the article “Too Few Seats For The Kotas” published in “The Times of India” on 29th August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Social Issues – Issues related to development and management of education

Relevance: Issues related to student suicides

News– The news of more student suicides in Kota should worry us greatly about the increasing numbers of such deaths countrywide.

What are reasons behind the student suicides in Kota?

The tuition centers fees are high. It adds a significant financial load on numerous parents. The students understand the sacrifices their parents are making for their education. It initiates stress right from the outset.

These exams have a low acceptance rate, as low as 2%. Succeeding in these exams is an extremely difficult task. The pressure intensifies when the results of the entrance exams are announced.

Is student suicide issue limited to Kota only?

It’s important to recognize that this issue is not confined solely to Kota. In the year 2019, students accounted for 7.4% of all suicide-related deaths.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 12,500 adolescents took their own lives in India in just the year 2020.

Kota has been particularly impacted. Nevertheless, the stress and suicides among students are a broader nationwide concern.

Way forward-

Indian parents- They should educate themselves on this matter. They should refrain from imposing your own aspirations onto your children. Becoming a doctor or an engineer is not the sole purpose of life. There are countless other career paths available.

Teachers– They should recognize the stubborn and narrow-minded nature of some Indian parents. They must guide students not only on how to study for these exams but also on how to approach them mentally.

Policymakers- They should understand why only a handful of government colleges are considered prestigious.

Despite India’s preference for private products and services, private colleges lack credibility and their intentions are often questioned.

Perhaps it’s time to open doors for foreign universities or establish partnerships between major Indian corporate entities and colleges. The goal should be to increase the availability of esteemed colleges and available seats.

Students- They should embrace the truth about life. It is challenging, uneven, and demanding. Failing an entrance exam might be disheartening.

Failures, setbacks, and injustices will reoccur. The solution isn’t to give up, but to adapt your goals, strategies, and actions.