Student deaths: Counsel students that scoring good marks not most important, HC tells IIT
PTC News Desk: Discouraging the growing trend of student deaths by suicide under pressure, the Delhi High Court has urged the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to make conscious efforts to counsel students and teach young minds that scoring good marks is not the most important thing in life and that they can give their all without succumbing to the stress of performing better.
The court expressed concern while hearing a petition regarding the alleged suicide last year of two IIT-Delhi students from a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.
Students' parents had requested that the court register an FIR and conduct an impartial investigation into the "caste-based atrocities" committed in the institution.
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Police said an investigation was conducted into the two incidents in July and September of last year, and while there was no evidence of caste-based discrimination, it was discovered that the deceased were failing multiple subjects and under pressure to perform better academically.
"This court can understand the sentiments of the parents of the deceased and deeply discourages the growing trend of pressurising young minds to perform the best in every aspect of life, leading them to take unfortunate steps," said Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar.
"It is high time that the faculty as well as other staff members of the Indian Institute of Technology make conscious efforts and take endeavours to counsel, encourage, motivate and invigorate the students. It is of utmost priority to make the young minds understand that though scoring good marks and performing your best is important, it is not the most important thing in life and one can certainly give his or her best without succumbing to the pressures or stress of performing better."
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