Exams give maximum stress to students

Exams give maximum stress to students’
Bhavya Dore, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 24, 2011
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First Published: 01:38 IST(24/7/2011)
Last Updated: 01:40 IST(24/7/2011)
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Students from private, unaided state board schools have higher stress levels as compared to those from private aided SSC schools, claims a study submitted as part of a PhD thesis through Mumbai University. The study also found that maximum stress was caused by exams. On a scale
of 1% to 100%, stress levels among students in private unaided schools was 48.18% as against 47.13% in private aided schools.

The study, conducted over a two-year period, surveyed 1,092 Class 10 students (507 girls, 585 boys) from across 20 SSC board affiliated English-medium schools in the city.

“Children in unaided schools come from better socio-economic backgrounds, have more educated parents, access to better infrastructure, facilities and opportunities. All of this makes them more ambitious,” said Giselle D’souza, associate professor at St Teresa’s Institute of Education, who conducted the study. “For them success in exams is a prestige symbol that earns recognition from their parents. Aided schools, on the other hand, have lower fees, and children have to fend more for themselves, which helps them develop better.”

The research found that the maximum source of stress for all students – both boys and girls – was exam-related. Though all the stress scores fell in the “moderate” category on the researcher’s scale of 1% to 100%, the mean percentage for exam stress was 50.17%, for achievement stress it was 48.85% and for social stress it 42.74% (see box).

The data was collected in 2006, before the state board implemented various reforms. However, Class 10 board exam remains of crucial importance because of the competition to get into a good junior college. “The competition is so intense these days that everyone is nervous,” said Dristi Jain, 15, who just finished Class 10.

The study, which will be soon out as a book, concluded that stress levels were not dangerously high. Students’ scored “substantially” on the parameters of academic self-concept (how they think of themselves), self-efficacy (their belief in their capabilities) and locus of control (to what extent they think they can control the situation).

“Very few studies have so far related these personality correlates with stress levels,” said Shefali Pandya, professor at the department of education at Mumbai University, who guided the study. “Schools and parents can help in bringing down stress levels by building confidence and self-worth in students.”

Answer Sheets are not secret documents, RTI chief/ New developments in the educational reforms sector

It's been a hectic few weeks of positive developments in the education field especially where the board exams are concerned. The HRD Minsiter has already set in motion several steps to abolish the CBSE board exams. Schools have begun evolving into better and comprehensive educational zones as a result. It took just a few weeks for the curriculum and modus of education to change in the CBSE schools. Students who were presurrised to do projects beyond their capabilities and give tests and exams at every level have found that the pressure has begun to ease a little. More and more recreational subjects have been introduced and the number of projects to be evaluated on has decreased. Students are already beginning to feel the stress level go down...

In a welcome change has taken place... the previous stand of the boards -of not entertaining applications by students to see their answer sheets, has been struck down by the Pune Information commissioner(RTI) . The Chief Mr Vjay Kuvalekar has asked the state boards to amend their policy within a stipulated time so that studenst will be allowed to inspect their answer sheets at the earliest. It is definitely a development of great import. The previous stand violated the fundamental rights of a student. This welcome change was brought about by a petition filed by HSc student Abhijit Joshi with the HSc board which the board promptly rejected saying that the answer sheets were confidential documents. But Joshi was not one to give up. He filed an RTI application with the Information Commissioner chief heard both sides and came to the conclusion that answer sheets could not be equated as confidential documents and therefore had to be shown to the student on request.Kuvalekar pointed out that answer sheets were not covered under section 8 of the RTI act. It's is not possible for the viewing of answer sheets to affect the soveriegnty and integrity of India(which can be the only reason for documents being kept secret). I think this move will be welcomed by all aggrieved students and parents who felt their children might have fared better than the marks received from the board. Hopefully the board will come to it's senses and do the needful.


Yet anther development is the Shiv Sena's opposition to the ATKT for students who have failed the board exams. This seems to be a clearly politically motivated move to capture the votes of the naysayers. It must be understood that students have to go through immense trauma when they fail such exams denoted as integral to the future, by society. There is no way that quality of education will be affected by this move. In fact it will only improve the quality when students feel less stressed and more able to inculcate the teachings the education system dishes out as part of it's curriculum. There are so many students getting depressed and attemting suicide because falure in these board exams gets them ostracised from their near and dear ones, they feel alienated and unsupported and their sense of well-being is majorly affected because the people who they have come to depend on make them feel worthless. Are these students lives not precious? Or is it better to sacrifice their lives, hopes and ambitions on the altar of educational quality?????




The emotional and academic pressures of high school and college life, while manageable and even exciting for most students, can be simply overwhelming for others. Such students may not yet have attained the level of maturity necessary to develop adequate coping skills, or they may be struggling with relatively long-standing emotional difficulties that are exacerbated by the transition to having to give board exams and the move to college.

For Faculty , staff and peer group

As a helper, due to your position, status, and visibility on campus, students experiencing emotional distress may turn to you for help. Or, because of your role, you may find yourself confronted by a disturbed or disturbing student who needs assistance. The way in which you respond in these situations could have a significant impact on the student's ability to deal constructively with his or her emotional conflicts.

Consultation

At AASRA we offer consultation services to faculty, staff and others on a full range of student development issues. In your attempt to help a student, you may benefit from input from a counseling professional.


AASRA caregivers can suggest possible approaches to take, intervene directly with students, or provide you with support. Please call our offices at 91-22-27546667 for assistance.

Your Role as Faculty, Administrators, and Staff

Because of your position, students may turn to you frequently to obtain advice and support. Although you are not expected to provide counseling, it is helpful for you to understand the critical role you can play in:

* responding to student problems & concerns.
* identifying signs that indicate a student is in need of help.
* making a referral to student development professionals.