The growing culture of competitive exams in Kashmir has brought immense pressure on students, as parents often push them toward careers in medicine or engineering. This societal expectation has led to rising mental health issues, with many students feeling trapped in paths they did not choose.
Dr. Wasim Kakroo, a clinical psychologist, explains that the sensationalization of exam results exacerbates the problem, causing students with low self-confidence to suffer severe mental health consequences, sometimes even contemplating suicide. The National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) latest data reveals that in 2022, over 13,000 students died by suicide across India due to academic pressure, marking a sharp increase from previous years.
Maheen, a promising student, was pressured into attempting the NEET exam, despite her passion for the humanities. After multiple failed attempts, the silent treatment and comparisons from her family worsened her mental health, leading her to experience suicidal thoughts. Although she eventually convinced her family to let her pursue political science, the trauma from the earlier experience lingers.
Many students in Kashmir feel this pressure. Mehvish Malik, who attempted NEET voluntarily, faced judgment from her community despite support from her family. Similarly, Bareeq Rafiq, another student, expressed her anxiety about competing against thousands for a limited number of seats, a reality that heightens the stress.
Experts like Er. Taniya Noor, a mentor for non-medical students, suggest that competitive exams are challenging not because of the syllabus but because of the intense competition. The limited number of seats creates an environment of relentless pressure, contributing to the emotional and psychological toll on students.
The reservations in these exams are also a point of contention. While some argue that the system unfairly favors students from reserved categories, others, like Maheen, suggest that financial background should be the basis for reservations rather than community identity.
Dr. Kakroo emphasizes that the solution lies in fostering emotional intelligence from a young age. He urges parents to focus not just on academic performance but on the holistic well-being of their children. The societal belief that success is limited to a few professions must be challenged to reduce the immense pressure on students. Families should also prioritize hobbies, friendships, and emotional resilience to prepare students for life beyond exams.
If students show signs of mental distress, such as withdrawal, irritability, or sleep issues, parents should seek professional help. The responsibility to prevent such tragic outcomes rests with both families and educators, ensuring that children grow up with balanced emotional health.
Why Competitive Exams in Kashmir Are Taking a Serious Toll on Students
Khawish Yousuf - October 4, 2024
Word count: 500
The increasing focus on competitive exams in Kashmir is placing significant mental strain on students, as parents often push them into careers in medicine or engineering. Dr. Wasim Kakroo, a clinical psychologist, warns that this pressure leads to serious mental health issues, especially for students with low self-esteem. “When results of these exams are sensationalized, students with poor self-confidence are unable to handle it, which sometimes becomes disastrous,” he explains.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 13,000 students died by suicide in 2022, a marked increase from the previous year. The high-stakes nature of competitive exams, such as NEET, has made failure devastating for many. Maheen, a student forced into NEET by her family, shared, “Just because I was good at studies, the medical stream was picked for me.” After repeated failed attempts, she faced comparisons and cold treatment from her family, pushing her into depression. “I developed suicidal thoughts and stopped communicating with my family,” she added.
This pressure is not limited to those pushed into fields they dislike. Mehvish Malik, a student who voluntarily chose NEET, faced intense societal judgment after failing. “People in Kashmir believe everyone should become a doctor or engineer, and that qualifying is a matter of life and death,” she said.
The problem extends beyond individual failures, according to Er. Taniya Noor, who mentors students in non-medical fields. “The competitive exams are difficult not because of the syllabus, but because of the ratio of students competing,” she explained. The limited seats increase the pressure on students, who are expected to be perfect. Bareeq Rafiq, a 12th-grade student preparing for NEET, said, “What bothers me is that the candidate must win against thousands of others to secure a seat.”
The issue of reservations in competitive exams also adds to the tension. Some students, like Mehvish, believe that the current reservation system is unfair to open-merit candidates, while others, like Maheen, argue that reservations should be based on financial status rather than community background. “Only those who are financially weak deserve it,” she said.
Dr. Kakroo believes that fostering emotional intelligence from a young age could alleviate these pressures. “Life is more than just passing an exam. Students must work on handling emotions, otherwise even qualifying can become overwhelming for them,” he stressed. He calls on parents and teachers to focus not only on academic performance but also on students' mental health, hobbies, and social connections. “If a student shows signs of depression such as aloofness, loss of appetite, or abnormal sleeping patterns, parents should seek professional help,” he advised.
Competitive exams are a part of life, but they should not define it. Shifting focus from rigid career paths to emotional resilience is key to protecting students' well-being.