Suicides rise among students in Kota

But as the competition to grab a seat in the best coaching institutes in Kota is on the rise, so are suicidal tendencies among its students. 

There are instances when parents force their children to undertake coaching and be a part of this cut-throat competition without actually considering the child's aptitude or capacity for the subjects. 

While every parent's dream is to see their ward in the IITs or NITs, which offer 10,000 and 16,000 seats respectively, this puts the child under tremendous stress, at times leading to depression and suicidal tendencies.

Coachimg Factory KOTA

Every month at least one student commits suicide as they find themselves unable to cope with the pressure, according to Kota police's records. 

The number of suicides, previously eight and six in 2010 and 2011 respectively, almost doubled in 2012 when 11 students committed suicide. 

Up to April 18 this year four students - two boys and an equal number of girls - had taken their lives.

The increasing rate of suicide is a serious matter and requires immediate attention, Dr R.C. Sahni, head of Samvedna Research Foundation, said. 

Sahni added that the main causes for depression among teenaged students were pressure from parents and teachers, and the coaching system - in which ruthless grading is an integral part.

"Instead of telling to compete with one self and acquire excellence students were asked to compete with others", Sahni opined.

The managers of the coaching institutes unanimously alleged that the new system of joint entrance tests, initiated at the behest of HRD minister Kapil Sibal, has unnecessarily increased pressure on students.

The new system, which gives weight to the board results, was already taken care of in the old system as almost all the qualified students fulfilled the criteria.