NEW DELHI: In a tragic incident, nine students in India committed suicide after the announcement of their exam results, while two others attempted suicide.
The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Examination declared the results for grades 11 and 12 on Wednesday, and as many as one million students appeared for the exam. However, only 61% of students passed the exam in grade 11, while 72% passed in grade 12.
According to reports, a 17-year-old student from the Srikakulam district, B Tarun, killed himself by jumping in front of a running train. Another student from Dandu Gopalapuram in the intermediate first year was “disheartened” after failing most of the papers. A 16-year-old female student, A Akhilasree, also killed herself as she was reportedly upset after failing some subjects in the first year of the intermediate. Another 17-year-old girl, Anusha, died by jumping into a lake, while a boy in the same district killed himself by consuming pesticide. Another teenager, B Jagadeesh, who was reportedly depressed for having low marks in intermediate, died by hanging himself.
This incident comes amid a rise in suicide incidents in Indian colleges. Four students studying on different campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have already committed suicide this year. Following the incident, police and psychologists have urged students to avoid taking such extreme steps as they have their entire lives ahead of them and can change their failures into success.
Students suffer from depression after low marks
These incidents are not the first of their kind in India, as many students suffer from depression after securing low marks or failing in an exam. Psychologists say that it is important to have a support system in place and to seek help if needed.
The incident has also raised questions about the pressure on students to perform well in exams and the need for a more holistic approach to education. Experts believe that students should be encouraged to develop a range of skills and talents rather than just focusing on academics.
The suicides of these students are a tragic reminder of the stress and pressure that young people face in India’s education system. It is essential to support students and provide them with the resources they need to cope with academic pressures and mental health issues.
