MP Assembly addresses rising student suicides, sets up committee

Bhopal: Expressing concern over spate of suicides by students due to mounting pressure of studies, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Sitasharan Sharma on Friday constituted a committee of ruling and opposition MLAs to look into the issue. The matter was raised in the House by Congress members, Ramniwas Rawat and Arif Aqueel who moved a Calling Attention motion demanding the government to look into the issue of rise in the incidents of student suicides. [caption id=“attachment_2657468” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representative image. IBNLive[/caption] Both alleged that the government has failed to address the issue in an effective manner. Intervening on the issue, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Tension free education is the need of the hour. For that change in education system and society’s thinking is must. Children should get an opportunity to excel in their natural talent.” “For getting good marks, schools, teachers and parents are exerting pressure on students which is a social crime,” he said. Chouhan urged the Speaker that the House should guide the society by deliberating on the matter by forming a committee comprising members of both ruling and Opposition parties. Agreeing with the Chief Minister’s suggestion, the Speaker announced to form the committee of ruling and opposition parties MLAs on the issue and asked it to submit its report to the House after consulting experts. Chouhan also highlighted various examples of noted scientists, artists, players, social workers and politicians among others to make a point that their talent cannot be gouged the numbers they scored in academics. Announcing few temporary measures, Chouhan said, “From ninth class onwards counseling of student, parents and teachers will be done; games period will be made compulsory and yoga and meditation education will be imparted to them.” He also said that vocational education will be given to students of standard 11th and 12th and also professional training will be imparted to enhance employment opportunities.