Each of seven SSC counsellors in state end up handling 200 calls daily
Each of seven SSC counsellors in state end up handling 200 calls daily
To deal with post-examination stress and queries this year, the state has appointed just seven counsellors for the 14.6 lakh SSC students from the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) in the state. Pune saw 2.35 lakh students appearing for the board exam, while the numbers were three lakh for Mumbai division and 1.7 lakh for Nagpur. According to the counsellors, each one of them has been receiving 150 to 200 calls a day, which is proving very stressful.
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These helplines have been functioning since June 16, the day before the SSC results were declared, and are to remain operational all 24 hours a day till June 30. Yashashri Huddar, a psychologist who is part of the helpline, said, "Since Saturday I have received more than 400 calls. It's very stressful handling so many calls. In fact, yesterday we counsellors were unable to even talk."
Non-stop calls
Another counsellor said, "We have been receiving calls even from Nagpur. It's very difficult attending so many calls a day with the issues being so similar. We have been speaking non-stop for the past few days. Most of the calls are related to students' career options." The board, on the other hand, is happy that the counsellors appointed are able to help students and parents. Though the board has not yet calculated the total number of calls received so far, it is expected that the final figures are going be pretty heavy. Revati Godbole, a psychologist who is one of the counsellors, said it was expected that they would get such a huge number of calls at least for a week.
"We have volunteered for the job, so we were expecting this. But it gets annoying when parents and students call to enquire about their results," said Godbole. Ujwala Patil, chairperson of the board, said, "We haven't yet calculated the total number of calls the counsellors are receiving as the final list will come only on June 30. Even though the helpline is 24x7, these counsellors definitely need some time to rest."
Most callers seek career advice
The board had started the helpline to help students and parents deal with post-results stress, but counsellors say the maximum calls they have received from students so far are not for psychological help but to get career tips. Most calls are about the subject or college a student should choose and how one should send papers for revaluation. P T Waghmare, a counsellor from Nagpur, said, "We haven't received a single call from students who are upset. The callers are more concerned about their career plans. They are enquiring about colleges, admission procedures and marks evaluation." Psychologist Yashashri Huddar, who is one of the counsellors, said, "Only 25 per cent of the calls I have got in the past few days are from parents who are worried that their children are very upset and want to be left alone. Among the rest, everyone is interested in knowing what should be their next career step."
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