Maharashtra: ‘Standard X, XII students need year-round counselling’ | Pune News

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PUNE: All the education boards conducting Standard X and XII examinations open their helplines just before the start of the exams.
The CBSE opens it 45 days before the sessions, Maharashtra state board starts its counselling lines about a month before the scheduled timetable.

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Experts said that this exercise should be a continuous year-long one because the board’s helplines work as a facilitation of both psychosocial needs and guidance on exam productivity for students.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted interactive voice response systems for disseminating information about exams, along with podcasts instead of just a one-to-one and telephonic counselling.
While the initiative would start in February, the services this year were offered from January since the exam started on February 15.
At Symbiosis International School Pune, counselling is a multi-faceted and dynamic process. Vice-principal, Madan Mohan said, “Counselling is phased out as per the needs of the students and the age criteria. Some sessions conducted are life skills, study skills, time management, anger management, behaviour management and activities to develop mindfulness.”
According to the counsellors in various boards, this year the queries revolved mostly around the lack of adequate focus and writing skills, and the impact of Covid when exams and classes were mostly conducted online.
Victorious Kidss Educares took on the responsibility of adhering to all the assessment requirements of the International Baccalaureate students for its MY (Std X equivalent) students.
With guidance from the school’s senior leadership, coordinators and the head of the programme, the exam department equipped the school staff as well as students to ensure smooth administration of the exams.
President of VKE Robbin Ghosh said it is important to stay physically and mentally fit during the years of study, and especially when one is preparing for their final exams.
“Throughout the year, students are motivated to have the right mindset to stay calm and focused. These sessions help students to plan their academics and be mindful and showcase their affective skills,” he added.
Teachers at The HDFC School said that it was crucial for schools to have ongoing counselling sessions for students to boost their morale and be responsible citizens in future.
School representative Neha Dharia said in the higher grades, students are always grappling with some big concerns. Questions about who they are, relationships at home and especially romantic ones, and above all, a very daunting issue, what next take up their energies.
“All this and much more need attention all through the year in schools. Socio-emotional learning and development will enable responsible management of emotions and better problem-solving and decision-making skills,” she added.
Chairman of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Sharad Gosavi said that the board helplines are opened before examinations.
“We receive several calls during and before the exams and sometimes after exams till the results. Queries are mostly related to hall tickets, subjects, syllabus, exam centres and also some serious issues such as stress and emotional state of mind.”
Gosavi added that so far they have not had any proposal for a year-long counselling programme, but if there is a need they could think about it.
Mahendra Ganpule, spokesperson for Maharashtra State Principals’ Federation, said, there is a need for a year-long counselling helpline, especially in this fast-paced competitive world.
“The response will be higher closer to the examinations but having a dedicated line throughout the year is always going to be helpful to the students,” he added.

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