Danishwar Hameed
In a heartbreaking turn of events, an 18-year-old girl from the village of Kulgam suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after learning her 12th class examination results, which were announced by JKBOSE this evening.
Sources told The Kashmiriyat that Aksa, a resident of Baihama, Devsar, collapsed after hearing her results which showed that she had to reappear for exams in three subjects.
Following this Aksa was rushed to a nearby hospital, she was declared dead on arrival.
The sudden death of Aksa Jan has cast a pall of gloom over the area, leaving her friends, neighbours and relatives in shock and mourning.
In the wake of the tragic death, it is crucial to address the detrimental effects of unhealthy academic competition and the role of media and society in perpetuating this issue.
Research has consistently shown that excessive academic pressure can lead to severe stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems such as cardiac arrest.
According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, heightened academic stress is strongly correlated with mental health issues among adolescents, including depression and anxiety disorders.
This unhealthy competition creates a toxic environment where students feel their self-worth is tied solely to their academic performance. However, educational experts argue that exams should be viewed as a learning process rather than a final judgment of a one’s abilities or potential.
Prominent psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, known for her work on mindset, emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset in students.
She suggests that by encouraging students to see challenges and failures as opportunities to grow, rather than as definitive failures, we can help them build resilience and a healthier outlook on their academic and personal lives.
In Kashmir, we often see media outlets rushing to the houses of students who top such exams, however, such celebration of “topping” the exams may increase burden on parents and students alike and lead to an unhealthy competition to holistic development and emotional well-being of both students and parents.
The media and societal narratives often exacerbate this pressure by glorifying high achievers and stigmatizing those who do not meet these often unrealistic standards.
It is imperative that we celebrate diverse talents and efforts, rather than merely topping the academic exams.
In conclusion, it is imperative to encourage students by reminding them that exams are not the ultimate measure of success or failure.