7 students allegedly die by suicide after Intermediate exam results

• Image Credit: Google

• Apr 26, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

The series of suicides began with a 16-year-old student in the Mancherial district taking his life by hanging...

Digital Desk: In a tragic incident, seven students, including two girls, have reportedly died by suicide in the aftermath of the release of the Intermediate Public Examination 2024 results by the Telangana state board. The tragic incidents spread within 48 hours following the announcement of the results on Wednesday, as reported by PTI.

According to the Mahabubabad Superintendent of Police, the two girls who took their lives had failed to clear the examination, underscoring the immense pressure and emotional distress that academic setbacks can induce in young minds.

The series of suicides began with a 16-year-old student in the Mancherial district taking his life by hanging, having faced failure in four subjects. Subsequent cases revealed similarly distressing narratives, with students aged 16 or 17 resorting to methods such as hanging, drowning in ponds, or jumping into community wells.

The scale of the tragedy is amplified by the sheer number of students affected. Over 9.8 lakh students appeared for the intermediate exam earlier this year, with pass percentages of 61.06% and 69.46% for the first and second years, respectively.

This isn't the first time such a grim scenario has unfolded in Telangana. In 2019, 22 students succumbed to suicide following the release of intermediate results, highlighting a systemic issue that warrants urgent attention and intervention.

Telangana's alarming rate of student suicides, accounting for 5% of such cases nationwide, underscores the pressing need for holistic support systems and mental health resources within the education sector. The state's 11th ranking among 28 states in student suicides, as per the National Crime Records Bureau, serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation.

As the nation grapples with this recurring tragedy, it's imperative for authorities, educators, and society at large to prioritize mental well-being and academic support structures to prevent further loss of young lives due to the relentless pressures of examinations and academic expectations.