For today’s students, attending school is no longer sufficient. The competition for engineering and medical seats intensifies each year, forcing young aspirants into a demanding routine where they balance classrooms and coaching centers with hardly a moment to spare. This is particularly evident in Guwahati, where integrated coaching has emerged. In this system, Class XI and XII students attend both school and intensive coaching simultaneously, profoundly altering their educational experience. Yet, as the academic pressure mounts, concerns about stress, burnout, and a diminishing quality of education are also rising.
A director of a prominent coaching center in Guwahati, who wishes to remain anonymous, notes that many centers start preparing students for engineering and medical entrances as early as Class VIII, with a few even beginning as early as Class VI. However, most coaching institutions initiate their programs from Class XI. The director explains that students often struggle to juggle both school and coaching, leading to confusion and overwhelm. To address this, integrated coaching programs have been introduced to allow students to focus primarily on coaching while only attending school formally.
Yet, students like Kanchita Das present a more complex picture, shedding light on the hidden pressures of the integrated coaching model. After their Class 10 board exams, many of Kanchita’s friends opted for either JEE or NEET coaching, often enrolling in integrated programs. This arrangement meant they attended school just once a week, limiting their participation in school activities. Kanchita felt compelled by peer pressure to join an integrated coaching course, confessing that she was unaware of how these centers operated until her enrollment. They typically implement a hierarchical batch system that prioritizes some students over others, which Kanchita experienced firsthand. Despite her strong academic record, scoring between 95 and 100, she felt undervalued after investing about Rs 1.5 lakh and decided to stop attending.
After dropping out, rejoining her regular school proved challenging for Kanchita, as she struggled to catch up after missing too much of the curriculum. The coaching director acknowledges this issue, indicating that the disconnect stems from partnerships between schools and coaching centers designed for integrated programs. While intended to support students, these arrangements can lead to feelings of overwhelm and isolation from traditional school life.
Thousands of students in Guwahati are involved in similar integrated coaching programs, which blur the lines between school education and preparation for competitive exams. Another NEET aspirant, Ankita Bajpayee, suggests that students explore online alternatives, noting that many of her peers struggle with the intense demands of their schedules. She believes attending coaching sessions may not be worthwhile, especially with the availability of high-quality online classes, many of which are free.
Conversely, the coaching director criticizes online courses, arguing they undermine the education system. He claims that many students rely on unverified online solutions, a practice he deems problematic.
Amid the tightly packed schedules and academic pressures, a critical concern emerges-students’ mental health. As integrated coaching gains popularity, many students grapple with anxiety, burnout, and an ever-present fear of failure. Nikita Hazarika, a clinical psychologist and founder of Ashwas Mental Health, points out that juggling school and coaching adversely affects emotional well-being, often putting students in a “flight, fight, or freeze” state. She describes the situation as nearly a mental health epidemic, with many experiencing panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and even depression. The relentless expectations can drive students to abandon their ambitions entirely.
With virtually no time to recharge, many students descend into a cycle of fatigue and diminished self-worth. The coaching director notes the escalating difficulty of entrance exams, questioning how students can foster independent study when their days extend from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. without adequate breaks. This unyielding pace prevents them from maintaining the necessary balance between academic duties and personal health.
Addressing the growing mental health crisis in students requires a comprehensive strategy. Recommendations include regular mental health awareness sessions in schools and coaching centers, enhanced access to trained counselors, and cultivating open discussions around emotional health. While the coaching director mentions that motivational sessions are in place, Hazarika advocates for balance and routine breaks, emphasizing the brain’s need to rest in order to function effectively.
In today’s high-pressure academic setting, establishing a harmony between studies, coaching, and personal well-being is essential. Without deliberate intervention, students risk enduring long-term emotional and physical ramifications. It is crucial to foster an environment that values mental health alongside academic achievement.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/school-coaching-stress-inside-guwahatis-relentless-academic-race-1579176
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Publish Date: 2025-05-29 16:45:00
