(a) the data of student suicides in school and college campuses, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government is collecting or recording data regarding the reasons or
causes behind these student suicides ;
(c) whether the Government is promoting counselling sessions for students and if
so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is taking any other steps to prevent student suicides?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a)&(b): Data on student suicides in school and college campuses is not maintained by
this Ministry. However, as per the data available on ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides in
India 2015’ published by National Crime Records bureau (NCRB), a total of 8934
students had committed suicide in the year 2015. The state wise list is enclosed as
Annexure-I. The report mentions that 1360 persons below the age of 18 years and
1183 persons below the age of 30 years committed suicide during 2015 due to failure in
examination. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has informed that a total of 14 cases of
suicides were reported in the year 2017 in Navodaya Vidyalayas.
(c)&(d): As education is a subject in the concurrent list of the constitution, a majority of
the schools are under the control of the respective state Governments. As regards
School Education, the States and UTs are advised to frame a special strategy for
guidance and counselling in schools. It is recommended to have teachers qualified on
guidance and counselling services and thereby capable of conducting varied guidance
and counselling programmes in schools. Moreover, the existing teachers are also
trained for this purpose and Guest Lectures by prominent people in different fields are
also arranged. Guidance and counselling is an essential part of in-service training
programmes for teachers and Principals. During 2017-18, an amount of Rs. 465.87 lakh
was approved to different States/UTs for guidance and counseling activities under
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). Under the Integrated scheme for
School Education – Samagra Shiksha launched from 2018-19, there is provision for
supporting States and UTs on interventions related to Guidance and counselling in
schools. Further, The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), vide its circular
number 8, dated March 10, 2008, stated that at least twenty sessions of psychological
counselling are to be provided to every student in an academic session at secondary
and senior secondary level. The Board vide its circular number 24, dated July 14, 2009
highlighted the need of a full time Counsellor at each level of schooling. The advisory
emphasized that parents and teachers may also be involved in psychological sessions.
Affiliation Bye-Laws of CBSE since 2010 require that every school shall appoint a full
time counsellor.
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) has informed that in the training programme for
teachers, one or two sessions are included to sensitize the teachers and Principals
regarding safety and security of the children and also identify the suicidal tendency
among the children and take preventive steps to avoid the same. Regular counseling
sessions are conducted by inviting counselors in the schools where the students are
found in a disturbed state. In case of serious psychological problems among the
children, psychiatrists are engaged to identify the behavioral changes and the reasons
for such behavior by the specialized counselors. Counselors are also appointed from
time to time.
As regards Higher Education, the State Governments were also requested to consider
the following 12 measures suggested by Justice Roopanwal Commission of Enquiry :
(i) The university should evolve a mechanism where the students can appeal in case
there is any excess by the university.
(ii) Counselling Centres consisting of professionally trained counsellors should be set up
which shall provide services to students, research scholars and faculty including nonteaching
staff.
(iii) Monitoring Committees should be constituted which should be headed by the
supervisors who would provide guidance on the matters related to the subjects studied
by the students.
(iv) Equal opportunity Cell headed by the Anti-discrimination Officer as per the UGC
(Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012 should be
made functional.
(v) Grievance Redressal Committee headed by the Ombudsman as per the UGC
(Grievance Redressal) Regulation 2012 should be made effective.
(vi) Strong induction programme for better acclimatization.
(vii) Establish, as far as possible, local guardian system for outstation students.
(viii) Grievances to be discussed and dispensed with on weekly basis and Vice
Chancellor to hold meetings on monthly basis.
(ix) Remedial teaching for academically weak students.
(x) Deans to closely monitor Department problems. Any serious issue to be brought to
the notice of Vice Chancellor immediately.
(xi) University to select suitable student volunteers to act as mentors and help freshers.
(xii) Effective administration and supervision of Hostel and strict compliance of Hostel
Admission Rules and Regulations so that only current students allotted hostel
accommodation by the University stay in the hostels.
As regards the educational institutes of the Ministry, a number of steps have been taken
for overall development of students as well as to de-stress them. These include
appointment of Student Counselors, organizing Workshops/Seminars on
Happiness/Wellness, regular sessions on Yoga, holding induction programs,
extracurricular activities including sports and cultural activities etc.
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