Experts and district administration officials in Kota, Rajasthan have expressed concerns about the practice of segregating students into different batches in coaching centers. This practice has come under scrutiny as it is believed to contribute to student stress and has been linked to an increasing number of student suicides. The district administration has advised coaching institutes against batch segregation, stating that every student has different requirements and that segregating them into batches leaves less room for them to benefit from each other.
In Kota, coaching institutes categorize students into various batches, with the “Star batch” being considered the best. This batch provides the top-performing students with additional attention, motivational classes, and special sessions. Other categories include “Repeater” and “Dropper” batches for students who have previously attempted the exam and taken a gap year, as well as the “Achiever” and “Enthusiast” batches for students with different levels of performance and aspirations.
However, the increasing number of student suicides, with 22 reported so far in 2023, has raised concerns about the impact of such categorization. Students in Kota face challenges such as a packed schedule, intense competition, pressure to perform better, parental expectations, and homesickness.
Coaching institutes argue that batch division allows them to provide specialized teaching and strategies tailored to each group’s needs. However, psychologists argue that categorizing students into high and low achievers can worsen the struggles of those already facing difficulties.
The district administration has taken some measures to address the situation, such as mandating the installation of safety equipment and allowing a weekly break for students. However, these measures have been seen as insufficient by some.
Overall, there is a growing recognition of the negative impact of the ranking system and batch segregation on students’ mental well-being. Emphasizing collaboration and support among students with varying levels of aptitude is seen as a more beneficial approach.
Dinesh Sharma, the head of the psychology department at Government Nursing College in Kota, has expressed his criticism of the ranking system used in coaching centers. According to him, this system demotivates students as even a small deduction in marks can greatly impact their rank. Sharma believes that students with different levels of aptitude can benefit from studying together and encouraging each other.
In light of the recent suicides in Kota, the district administration has taken action. PTI reports that coaching institutes have been requested to suspend routine tests for students preparing for NEET and other competitive exams for the next two months. This step has been implemented to alleviate the immense pressure on students.