'Marks Not Most Important Thing In Life' Delhi HC Asks IIT To Put Students Wellbeing First
The Delhi High Court has directed the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) to actively engage in counselling efforts and emphasise to students that academic success is not the sole measure of life's importance.
Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar of the Delhi HC on Thursday expressed understanding for the parents' sentiments and strongly discouraged the mounting pressure on young minds to excel in every aspect of life.
IIT faculty should encourage students
The court stressed the need for IIT faculty and staff to actively counsel, encourage, motivate, and invigorate students, stressing that while academic success is important, it is not the most crucial aspect of life.
The court noted the importance of instilling values related to physical and mental health during students' formative years, promoting confidence to face life's challenges.
Mark is not most important in life
"It is of utmost priority to make the young minds understand that though scoring good marks and performing your best is important, but it is not the most important thing in life and one can certainly give his or her best without succumbing to the pressures or stress of performing better," the HC said.
The court made the comments while dealing with a plea by the parents of two Scheduled Caste (SC) students of IIT-Delhi who allegedly took their lives last year, due to harassment, seeking an FIR and an impartial probe.
Increasing mental health concern among students
The increase in student stress has been a growing concern in India for some time now.
A 2023 report in the Journal of the Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health had said that 51% of school-aged children and adolescents in the country are facing anxiety, social withdrawal, and dysphoria.
A survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed that 12-13% of students in India are grappling with psychological, emotional, and behavioral conditions.
Experts have pointed out that in the quest for high marks and ranks in competitive exams, the toll the pressure that puts on the students and their mental health is overlooked by parents and teachers.
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