Speaker sets up committee to look into rising student suicides

Expressing concern over spate of suicides by students due to mounting pressure of studies, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Sitasharan Sharma today constituted a committee of ruling and opposition MLAs to look into the issue.
The matter was raised in the House by Congress members, Ramniwas Rawat and Arif Aqueel who moved a Calling Attention motion demanding the government to look into the issue of rise in the incidents of student suicides.
Both alleged that the government has failed to address the issue in an effective manner.
Intervening on the issue, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Tension free education is the need of the hour. For that change in education system and society's thinking is must. Children should get an opportunity to excel in their natural talent."

"For getting good marks, schools, teachers and parents are exerting pressure on students which is a social crime," he said.
The House should guide the society by deliberating on the matter by forming a committee comprising members of both ruling and Opposition parties, Chouhan urged the Speaker.

Agreeing with the Chief Minister's suggestion, the Speaker announced to form the committee of ruling and opposition parties MLAs on the issue and asked it to submit its report to the House after consulting experts.
Chouhan also highlighted various examples of noted scientists, artists, players, social workers and politicians among others to make a point that their talent cannot be gouged the numbers they scored in academics.

Announcing few temporary measures, Chouhan said, "From ninth class onwards counseling of student, parents and teachers will be done; games period will be made compulsory and yoga and meditation education will be imparted to them."
Earlier, replying to the motion, the Minister of State for
School Education, Deepak Joshi informed about the recent incidents of suicides committed by students of various local schools.
Quoting a report of Police Department he said that because of failing in examination, 193 students committed suicide in 2012, 218 in 2013 and 223 in 2014 in the state.
Keeping in mind the seriousness of the issue, MP Education Board had launched a helpline in 2007 which is operational between January to June to address mental, psychological and personal issues being confronted by students.

Nearly 25,000-30,000 students avail the benefit of this facility every year since then, Joshi informed the house.
Besides, Chief Minister also appealed to the parents through radio not to put pressure on their children as it affects their natural talent and extend moral support to them during this period.