Shillong, September 13: In a heart-wrenching incident, a 16-year-old student, who was diligently preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), took her own life by hanging in Kota, Rajasthan. This marks the twenty-fifth suicide by a student in Kota, a prominent coaching hub in Rajasthan, within just eight months this year.
As per India Today, hailing from Ranchi, the student had been residing at the Blaze Hostel in Kota. Her life ended tragically as she hanged herself, and her body has been placed in the mortuary.
Every year, approximately two lakh students flock to Kota with the aspiration of excelling in competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and NEET.
This year has seen a distressing surge in student suicides attributed to the immense pressure of competitive exams in the district, reaching the highest number recorded in any single year.
According to Rajasthan police data, the figures for student suicides in Kota were 15 in 2022, 18 in 2019, 20 in 2018, seven in 2017, 17 in 2016, and 18 in 2015. Notably, no student suicides were reported in Kota in 2020 and 2021 due to the closure of coaching institutes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to this alarming trend, the district administration had previously issued an order mandating the installation of spring-loaded fans in all hostel rooms and paying guest accommodations. This directive aimed to provide mental support and security to students and prevent further tragedies.
Furthermore, the Rajasthan High Court has called for recommendations to prevent student suicides in coaching institutes, particularly in Kota. The court emphasized the importance of psychological counseling for students and is exploring the introduction of the Rajasthan Coaching Institute (Control and Regulation) Bill 2023, designed specifically for coaching institutes.
