A Grade Concern
The
suicide of a student at a top private institution has brought to the fore the
problem of excessive academic stress
By Shahzada Irfan Ahmed
The news of suicide by a fourth year student of the
country's top-notch academic institution struck every one like lightning. The
report of this death was received with great remorse and suspicion, especially
because it came from place that is known for its bright students.
Hashir Munawwar, a resident of
Students reacted severely to the incident. Some
even went to the extent of questioning the academic policies of the institution
and the alleged mishandling of the deceased student's case. There were those
who called for an objective handling of the situation and identification of
circumstances that often lead to such incidents. Some tried to shift the reponsibility to the parents who expect too much from their
children and have zero tolerance for any lapse on their part.
No doubt the issue of academic stress is universal
and cases of suicides or attempted suicides have been reported from different
universities of the world. In this case the issue has assumed great proportions
because of the aggressive reaction of LUMS students who have resorted to blogging anonymously -- just to avoid any disciplinary
reaction on the part of the university administration.
The scribe tried to seek versions of some students
but none of them wanted to come on record. On conditions of anonymity, one of
them says it was a matter more of emotional handling than anything else. He
tells TNS that Hashir's grades did not fall overnight
and he was facing difficulties in studies for quite a long time. The student
thinks that maybe it was the way he was treated by his father and not his being
put on probation that broke him down. "I don't want to add to the miseries
of the unfortunate family by saying this. In fact I want to convey it to other
parents is that no loss is bigger than losing your child. So they must help
their children when they are in need and avoid antagonising
them."
Another student says that LUMS is a very stressful
place and the overall mood is depressive. She says the reason for this is that
new students have to adapt to the highly industrious study routine at LUMS
overnight. "The students who have never studied in sessions exceeding six
to eight hours have to study for even 18 hours at a stretch," she adds.
"Secondly, the university administration is in a habit of changing
policies from time to time and making it tougher and tougher for the students
to qualify in different courses. What I suggest is that there should be a
transition phase in which new-coming students should be given counselling and given time to adapt to the demanding
environment of the university."
Yet another student, on the conditions of
anonymity, says the media should see this issue in a larger perspective and
also focus on the problems faced by the students of universities and colleges
other than LUMS. He says the vice chancellor of LUMS has written an email to
the students of the university and formed an eight-member committee to review
the academic policies of the university. It definitely is a good move and will
go a long way in boosting the morale of the students, he adds. "I would
suggest that heads of other universities should also follow the suit and have
interactive sessions with the parents of weak students."
As per the email written by the vice chancellor,
the review committee is supposed to submit its initial report by May 15, 2008
and the final by June 15, 2008. The email adds "I would like to reassure
our students that while there may be blind spots in the delivery of quality
education, the faculty and staff of the university are positively geared
towards your general well being. I sincerely apologise
if the university has not lived up to your expectations and I pledge to address
your concerns in a very responsive manner. Thank you for your continued
support. Together, we can make the difference."
Dr Tariq Jadoon, Associate Dean, Students Affairs at LUMS, who is
heading the review committee, tells TNS that the body has invited comments from
the faculty members as well as students on the issue to which they are
responding through emails etc. "We will scrutinise
all these emails and then reach a conclusion. For the time being it is too
early to say anything."
The associate dean adds that the administration
felt the need for this review during the open house dialogues between the university
administration and students held immediately after Hashir's
death. Many students raised certain questions and expressed their apprehensions
that need to be weighed properly.
Jadoon says the committee will review whether the
university's policies are in strict conformity with international best
practices or not. Every suggestion will be reviewed with an open mind and with
the prime objective of further improving the campus environment and making it a
stress free place, he says. "Hashir's death is
an irreparable loss and we are yet to come out of the state of shock and
grief," he adds.
About the stress factor at LUMS, Jadoon says it is a place where best students from all over
the country get together. "They may be best at their respective schools and
colleges but once here they find themselves pitched against the best of the
best. This gives birth to stiff competition and may lead to stress but I think
there are ways to overcome these."
Jadoon says there are student counsellors
and psychiatrists on the campus but the university may increase the number.
Similarly, the committee will see whether there is a need for reviewing the
minimum requirements set for graduation and putting a badly performing student
on probation. "Every professional institution has such policies. For
example a medical student who fails in viva has to appear in written exams
afresh. Another aspect that we are working on is that whether there should be
different policies for different schools that are opening up at LUMS or not.
Previously all the students were kept in the same pool," he adds
Courtesy: The News