Inter Suicides: Srihari To Meet Colleges, Parents

Apparently annoyed by the unabated incidents of alleged suicides by students in some corporate colleges, schools and international institutions in the state, the Telangana government is planning to take stern action against them.

Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, who also holds the education portfolio, directed the officials concerned to hold a meeting with parents and private college managements on October 17. The government planned to conduct a thorough inquiry into every incident of the suicides reported so far, and would take serious action including cancelling the recognitions or affiliations of the colleges concerned, he warned.

The Deputy CM said the main reason for the problem was the pressure by the private institutions and colleges on the students for getting the best ranks. Even the parents were sending their wards to these institutions for the same purpose leading to the problem getting compounded. He asked the officials concerned to make surprise visits and compile reports on the institutions, and said that action would be taken based on the reports. Notices had already been served on a few private college managements, some of whom had approached the courts, he said.

Srihari asked the parents not to treat it as a status symbol to send children only to corporate colleges.

"Parents should not exert pressure on their children for marks and ranks, and should admit them into the most appropriate colleges depending on their talent," he said.

He also appealed to the students to not take extreme steps, and instead bring their problems to the notice of their parents and the government.

He also said that the managements of the colleges should set up counseling centres at their premises.