Citing BITS Pilani campus deaths, Goa MLA calls for stress management in syllabus

On Saturday, a 20-year-old student pursuing a dual degree course was found dead in his hostel room. While police have initiated inquest proceedings, the college authorities said the student “passed away in his sleep”. In May, the institute initiated an internal inquiry after three cases of suicide were reported since December last year. The institute had also announced several measures to streamline academic content, including a revamp of the existing curriculum, expanded counselling services with professional psychologists, a 24×7 helpline, sessions with faculty to redress students’ concerns and weekly psychiatrist consultations.

In the letter on Monday, Lourenco said, “It is given to understand that the earlier three deaths…occurred due to suicide at the aforesaid campus. We need to teach our children how to handle non-accomplishment, disappointment… It is of utmost importance to prepare our children not only for exams, but also how to handle life. It is imperative that mental health education must be made part of the regular curriculum.”

Stressing on the alarming rise in student suicides, especially due to academic stress, he said it is important to have counsellors from the school level. “I kindly request our government to compulsorily incorporate stress management in the syllabus of higher education in all the education institutions that are operating in Goa,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, Congress’s Yuri Alemao, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, urged the state government to address the situation by revisiting the syllabus.

“Apart from this institute, there have been five other cases in the state where students have committed suicide due to tension over board examinations, for being upset with their performance or depression over low marks,” he said.

“We need to find out the exact reasons from the students, whether the syllabus is tough and whether they are under pressure from parents, relatives or the teaching fraternity. The government needs to act immediately and hold a meeting with the student community,” Alemao said.