Sikar, often considered a rival to Kota in the coaching industry, boasts a changing cityscape marked by life-size billboards promising admissions to top medical and engineering colleges.
Poonam Chaudhary, a teacher at one of the coaching centers, emphasizes the personal touch offered in Sikar compared to Kota’s commercialized approach. However, with the city’s growing popularity, coaching centers in Sikar are also witnessing an increase in student enrollment, with some accommodating up to 10,000 students.
Despite the city’s reputation for a more personalized approach, concerns about student suicides echo those experienced in Kota.
As of October 2023, 26 cases of student suicides have been reported in Kota, leading the government to issue guidelines for coaching centers. Sikar, too, received similar directives, urging centers to discourage competitiveness among students and avoid glorifying toppers.
An anonymous teacher at a coaching center in Sikar claims that educators often perceive students resorting to suicide as lacking in “will power.”
They believe that students with stronger academic abilities prefer larger cities like Kota and Jaipur. Additionally, Shyam alleges that coaching centers in Sikar segregate students into different batches based on performance, maintaining a hierarchy.
Read More: ‘Everyone Wants Money,’ Reads Tragic Suicide Note Of Kerala Doctor After Killing Self
Sushmita Sharma, a senior counselor in Sikar, attributes reported student suicides to “failed teenage relationships.” She suggests that students living away from home may form relationships, leading to emotional distress.
To monitor such affairs, coaching centers in Sikar have implemented measures such as CCTV cameras and biometric entry systems, claiming they help in keeping track of students’ movements.
However, the challenges extend beyond the coaching centers. Kavita highlights the role of parents, citing instances where undue pressure was exerted on her roommate. Parents, she notes, can significantly influence a student’s mental state, impacting their performance.
As the quest for coveted medical seats continues, the experiences of NEET aspirants in coaching cities like Sikar shed light on the complex challenges they face, encompassing academic pressures, mental health concerns, and familial expectations.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: The Quint, Aaj Tak, Hindustan Times
Find the blogger: Pragya Damani
This post is tagged under: NEET, Medical Aspirants, Coaching Cities, Sikar, Kota, Student Suicides, Academic Pressure, Entrance Exam, Education System, Coaching Centers, Mental Health, Government Guidelines, Competitive Exams, Student Relationships, Parental Pressure, Biometric Entry System, CCTV Surveillance, Educational Challenges, Personalized Learning, Career Aspirations, Teenage Stress
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