Andhra Pradesh Student Suicides: HRD Ministry Initiates Strict Action against Colleges Violating Norms

Minister of State for Human Resource and Development (Andhra Pradesh), Mr. Ganta Srinivasa Rao cautioned the private junior college management about the strict action that would be initiated if these colleges are found violating the norms and regulations set by the Board of Intermediate Education (BIEAP). He said that the private junior colleges must follow prescribed timings and study hours that have been set by BIEAP.

The HRD Minister was upset after learning about the student suicides at some of the private junior colleges in Andhra Pradesh. He further initiated an investigation to examine the reasons behind it. Over seven cases have been registered in the last two weeks, where a few students have attempted or tried to commit suicide while being unable to bear the stress. A student who committed suicide recently in a private junior college (Vijayawada) left a note stating that the college management and lectures are harassing the students in the name of study hours and academic performance.

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State HRD Ministry further directed the DGP to bring a student-policing system in all the colleges across the state to regulate incidents of suicides. The police department will adopt 1,000 private junior colleges and turn them into model colleges. Through this process, each police station in the state will take care of at least one college, explained the Minister.

Private junior colleges in Andhra Pradesh have been violating the norms constantly by conducting excessive study hours and classes. Students have hardly been getting holidays as apart from classes, these colleges conduct exams on Sundays. Students are being subjected to extreme stress and mental pressure.

It is about time for the state government to take stringent action against these colleges.