Board examinations sparks discussion on academic pressure & mental health issues

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

An ongoing examination of class X and XII of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) have sparked discussions on academic preparation, parental involvement and student stress. With Board Examinations underway, most of the students are burning midnight oil to score good marks. 

The families and educators in Dehradun are focusing not only on academic preparation but also on the growing pressure faced by students.

For some parents, planning begins early. Maya Sharma, a resident of Prem Nagar said that she started structured preparation for her child in Class IX.  The daily routine includes about two hours of tuition, three hours of self-study and an hour of revision, with short breaks in between. She supervises the schedule but admitted that lowering academic pressure and giving more space to mental well-being would have helped. 

Ritu Yadav of Thakurpur said that she began focused preparation for her child at the start of Class X. She tracks weekly progress but allows her child to manage daily study independently. A calm atmosphere at home and avoiding comparisons with other students, she said, are key during board years. Kamal Kishore of the same locality said that discipline is necessary, but constant monitoring can be counterproductive. Board exams are important, he said, but they do not define a student’s entire future. He added that skill development should go hand in hand with academic goals.

Students say that expectations are high. Anukriti Sharma of Class XII said that she feels pressure to score above 90 per cent and faces regular progress checks. She said that positive encouragement works better than fear. To manage stress, she takes short breaks and speaks with friends. Advika Kavi, a student of class X said that her parents trust her to handle her studies. She uses time management and meditation to cope, but acknowledged that expectations can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Nidhika Gurung, a school principal, said that parental anxiety has increased in recent years. While involvement is helpful, she said over-monitoring can heighten stress. Schools conduct orientation sessions during board years to guide parents on maintaining a balance between performance and well-being.