Counsellor Details announced to assist students manage stress during Board exams

With board examinations drawing closer, increased attention has been placed on student mental health across Maharashtra. As lakhs of students prepare to appear for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, measures aimed at easing psychological pressure have been reinforced by the state education authorities.

It has been announced by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education that a dedicated telephonic counselling facility will be made available during the examination period. The initiative has been introduced in response to concerns that students often experience heightened stress, fear, and anxiety in the days leading up to major academic assessments. Such emotional strain, it has been noted, can affect concentration, confidence, and overall performance.

To address these challenges, ten qualified counsellors have been appointed at the state board level. These professionals are expected to provide guidance and emotional support to students coping with exam-related stress. The counselling service has been designed to function daily between 8 am and 8 pm, ensuring accessibility throughout the examination season. Contact details for the counsellors have been published on the official website of the board for easy reference.

The scope of the counselling service has been kept inclusive. It has been clarified that not only students but also parents and teachers may reach out if concerns related to examination stress need to be discussed. The involvement of parents and educators has been viewed as an important aspect of creating a supportive environment around students during this critical period.

At the same time, clear guidelines have been issued regarding the use of the counselling facility. It has been emphasised that counsellors are not to be approached for technical or administrative queries related to examinations. Matters such as examination centres, seating arrangements, or question papers have been excluded from the counselling mandate. For such issues, separate helplines operated by divisional offices of the state board continue to function.

In a parallel effort to strengthen student outreach, the state board has expanded its digital presence. An official YouTube channel has been launched, through which informational videos on examination procedures are being shared. Recorded messages from well-known personalities have also been uploaded, focusing on stress management, calmness, and confidence-building during exams. This digital initiative has been positioned as an extension of the board’s effort to communicate with students in formats familiar to them.

According to the announced schedule, the HSC written examinations are to be conducted from February 10 to March 18, while the SSC examinations will be held between February 20 and March 18. As these dates approach, the counselling initiative has been highlighted as a preventive and supportive step aimed at ensuring that students face the examinations with clarity, emotional balance, and reassurance rather than fear.