Tragic news emerged from India, as nine students reportedly committed suicide and two others attempted to take their own lives after the results for grades 11 and 12 were announced. The incident has sparked concern among education officials and the public, prompting calls for increased support for struggling students.
According to reports from NDTV, around one million students took the exam, but only 61% passed in grade 11, while 72% passed in grade 12. The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Examination released the results on Wednesday, and within 48 hours, nine students had tragically ended their lives.
The victims included B Tarun, a 17-year-old student from the Srikakulam district who reportedly jumped in front of a train. Another student from Dandu Gopalapuram attempted suicide after failing most of their papers. A Akhilasree, a 16-year-old female student, also took her own life after reportedly being upset about failing some subjects in the first year of intermediate. Anusha, a 17-year-old girl, died by jumping into a lake, while a boy in the same district consumed pesticide. B Jagadeesh, a teenager who was reportedly depressed about low marks in intermediate, died by hanging himself.
The incident comes at a time of heightened concern over student suicides in Indian colleges, with four students from different campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) also taking their own lives this year.
Police and psychologists have urged students not to resort to such extreme measures in the face of academic setbacks. They have emphasized that there is always hope, and that students have their entire lives ahead of them to turn their failures into success.
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This is not the first time such incidents have occurred in India, as many students suffer from depression and anxiety due to low marks or failing exams. It highlights the need for greater mental health support and resources for students, particularly during the stressful exam period.
