By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
SPSR Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla assured the members of the Parents Association of Andhra Pradesh (PAAP) to form a committee to prevent student suicide deaths in the city. He also announced to conduct a meeting with the officials soon to discuss the same.
The PAAP representatives had recently met the Collector to express concern over the series of student suicides in the city over the past four months. In three different cases, two Intermediate students and an MBBS first-year student died in their hostel rooms during this academic year.
Highlighting the need to save the lives of students, the PAAP members submitted a petition to the Collector, requesting him to take immediate and strict measures to protect students from suicidal tendencies.
PAAP State president Narahari Shikharam said that factors such as severe academic stress, hostel management deficiencies, harassment and lack of mental health services appear to be the main reasons which lead to these unfortunate events.
He alleged that the hostels affiliated to private schools and colleges were being run illegally without permission from the Education department and other departments. He urged the Collector to pay special attention to this issue and demanded strict measures within 30 days.
“The district administration must constitute immediately a special team comprised of District Education Officer (DEO), Regional Inspector Officer (RIO), police officials, psychologists and parents under the chairmanship of the District Collector,” said Mr. Narahari.
He also stressed on conducting surprise inspections regularly at private and government schools, colleges, and affiliated hostels to check the permissions, implementation of regulations, and facilities being provided to the students.
PAAP district president Kota Srinivasulu Reddy demanded appointment of qualified psychological counsellors at every school, college and hostel on a full-time basis. He sought the display of helpline numbers for students and necessary protocols for mental health protection in all educational institutions.