Board exam jitters? CBSE to launch helpline today
To help students of Classes 10 and 12 beat board exam stress, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will launch its annual pre-examination helpline from Friday. HT reports.
To help students of Classes 10 and 12 beat board exam stress, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will launch its annual pre-examination helpline from Friday.
The countrywide toll free helpline will provide psychological counselling over the telephone to parents and students suffering from severe stress because of the upcoming board exams.
A network of 56 principals, trained counsellors from CBSE-affiliated government and private schools and a few psychologists will man the helpline.
“Whatever anxiety is expressed by the student or parent will be addressed. Though it is primarily a helpline to deal with psychological stress, academic queries, if received, will also be answered or routed to the experts,” said Rama Sharma, spokesperson, CBSE.
Currently in its 15th year, the helpline had received around 5,000 calls last year.
Students can access the helpline by dialing 1800 11 8004 from February 1 to April 17. They can also pose queries to the chairman of the CBSE by logging on to the board’s website, www.cbse.nic.in, or get tips to deal with stress under the helpline icon.
Online counselling is also available by contacting director (academic, research, training and innovation) on sadhanap.cbse@nic.in or the controller of examinations on mcsharma2007@rediffmail.com.
Another pre-exam helpline called Disha, by NGO Snehi, will also be launched on Friday to help students cope with exam distress.
Through the helpline, available from February 1 to March 2 on 011-65978181 between 10 am and 7 pm, a group of trained counsellors and mental-health professionals will help students combat issues such as exam-related tension, lack of concentration, loss of appetite, permanent headache, restlessness, lack of confidence and negative thoughts.
Queries can also be sent to examhelpline@gmail.com. Last year, the helpline had received 1,497 calls.