Days after Lalita Shivarkar (18) — a resident of Alandi Mhatobachi ended her life after finding it difficult to cope with the exam pressure, counsellors in the city have stressed that a congenial environment should be created by educational institutions and parents to mentally prepare their children for the exams.

Shivarkar, who was appearing for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams, consumed poison on February 2 at her residence, after failing to cope with the pressure.

“It is the responsibility of the parents and the teachers to make their children feel at ease before the exams. The process should begin well in advance and not just a few days before the students are going to take the exams,” says counsellor Vinaya Bhosekar.

“It is important that parents spend sometime with their children and carefully notice the behavioural changes in them,” she says explaining that parents have to be extra cautious during this period and act responsibly.

Another counsellor Vidya Chikte says, “Parents should not pressurise students in any manner before the exams.”

She says children these days are already under a lot of pressure to perform with the cut-throat competition from peers. “Parents, instead of adding to the mental burden, should provide emotional support,” she says, adding that parents should be approachable and open to discussions.

Anuradha Sahasrabudhe, who runs Childline — a helpline for kids says  —  that the number of calls they receive increase in December-January. These calls are mainly from children appearing for the board exams. “The calls are about concentration problem, poor memory, tension and exam phobia,” she says, adding that the majority of the callers express apprehension to appear for specific papers like Science, Mathematics and English.

Team DNA/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication