No data on student suicides across NEET coaching centres: Government tells Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The number of suicide cases of students of educational institutions including coaching centres for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) is not maintained, the minister of state for education Subhas Sarkar said in a reply to the Parliament.

The MoS was replying to a question raised on whether the government is aware that large number of students pursuing NEET coaching are committing suicide, data on number of students who died by suicide in the last three years and the measures taken by the government to prevent the student suicides.

Sarkar reasoned that since education is a subject in the concurrent list of the constitution and majority of the educational institutions are managed by the states and union territories, the data on student suicides is not maintained. “However, as per the Accidental Deaths & Suicide in India (ADSI), 2021, Report of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), there are various causes of suicides like professional / Career problems, sense of isolation, abuse, violence, family problems, mental disorders etc.,” he added.

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Explaining the measures taken by the government in prevent the suicide cases of students, the MoS said that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has provision for counselling system for students to handle stress and adjust emotionally in the educational institutions. It also allows students to participate in sports, cultural and art clubs, eco-clubs, community service etc.

UGC guidelines, government initiatives on mental health

The minister went on to say that in order to address the mental health issues during and after COVID-19, the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued advisories to colleges, universities and guidelines on promotion of physical fitness, sports, student’s health, welfare, psychological and emotional well-being. The commission also advertised the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for institutes.

While the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken multiple steps including peer learning, education in regional languages etc., the government introduced an initiative called MANODARPAN which provides psychological support to students, Sarkar added.

Talking about the role of higher educational institutions, Subhas Sarkar further said, “The higher educational institutions take various steps such as conducting workshops/ seminars on Happiness and Wellness, regular sessions on Yoga, induction programs, extracurricular activities including sports and cultural activities, assigning of one faculty adviser for group of students to support with their academics and monitor their progress, and appointment of Student Counselors for overall personality development and de-stressing students.”