In harrowing news from India, nine students committed suicide while two others attempted suicide in India after the results of grades 11 and 12 were announced.
According to Indian media outlets, as many as one million students appeared for the exam; however, only 61% passed the exam in grade 11 while 72% in grade 12.
After the results were announced by the Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Examination in India, as many as nine students killed themselves within 48 hours while two other students are also said to have attempted suicide.
One of the students identified as B Tarun (17) killed himself by jumping in front of a train. While a sixteen-year-old girl died by suicide at her residence in Trinadhapuram. She was also upset after failing in a few subjects in the intermediate first year. She was from Visakhapatnam district.
Read more: Woman commits suicide after her ‘indecent’ pictures go viral
India's suicide rate is all-time high, Modi tells jokes on suicides. He doesn't have an education, but many educated Indians think he is the best orator of this generation!
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) April 27, 2023
Another 17-year-old girl Anusha died by jumping into a lake. She was from Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district and a boy in the same district killed himself by consuming a pesticide. One 18-year-old killed himself by hanging at his residence. Reports said that he failed one of the subjects in the intermediate second year.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of students taking their own lives due to failing exams. It is a tragic situation that affects not only the individual but also their loved ones, peers, and communities.
The pressure to succeed academically can be overwhelming, and the fear of failure is a significant trigger for students experiencing mental health issues. Exams are a critical part of the educational system, and poor grades or failing an exam can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and worthlessness.
Suicide due to failing exams is a preventable tragedy that can be addressed by creating a supportive environment for students. It’s essential to recognize the warning signs, provide academic and emotional support, and encourage students to seek professional help.
Read more: Suicide pattern in medical colleges