Helpline for students

Bhopal, Feb 1 (UNI) Help is at hand for students losing sleep and experiencing butterflies in their stomachs due to approaching exams as such children can approach the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education's six-member counsellors' cell, comprising trained teachers and psychologists, that began functioning here today.

More than 30 students have already sought counsel.

''This is the first initiative of its kind in the history of the Board whose tenth standard exam gets underway on March 12 while the higher secondary exam begins on March 10. Both will conclude in the second week of April,'' Secretary D D Agrawal told UNI.

The cell, with contact numbers 0755-2577703, 2577704, 9425483266 and 9893378825, will continue operating until the results are announced.

''Amidst spiralling competition and the race for higher marks, several meritorious children also fall prey to disappointment and lack of confidence,'' the Board's Secretary Neeraj Dubey said.

Dr Reena Rajput, one of the counsellors, underlined the need to speak about one's problems as that significantly reduces pressure and inferiority complex.

UNI