Mangaluru: The district administration will begin school visits next week to boost confidence among SSLC students and help them overcome examination fear, said Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Darshan HV. The visits will be carried out by the deputy commissioner, zilla panchayat chief executive officer, and the superintendent of police, with the aim of reassuring students ahead of the public examinations.Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Darshan said the initiative was intended to send a positive message to students appearing for the exams, and encourage them to face the tests without anxiety.He said students already have access to Tele-MANAS, a free mental health support service for those experiencing exam stress, anxiety, and fear of failure. By dialling 14416, students can receive immediate professional counselling on issues such as study pressure and parental expectations.On similar lines, the district administration is planning to launch a dedicated helpline shortly for SSLC and PU students. The helpline will accept grievances from students, and subject experts will speak to them the following day, to help them manage exam-related fear and stress. If students report other concerns, including disturbances affecting their studies, local bodies will attempt to address and resolve them, Darshan said.The third preparatory examination for SSLC students will be held from Feb 23. Darshan said the pass percentage in the first preparatory exam was 52%, which increased to 68.2% in the second preparatory exam in the district. He noted that not all students appeared for the first two preparatory exams. The administration will assess performance in the third preparatory exam and focus attention on slow learners. Teachers are already conducting special classes to ensure students clear the final examinations, he added.For the SSLC examinations commencing from March 18, a total of 29,397 students in Dakshina Kannada will appear, including 27,633 regular students. The exams will be held across 91 examination centres in the district. Webcasting will be conducted to prevent malpractice, and students were urged not to believe rumours related to the examinations.For the II PU examinations beginning Feb 28, 37,337 students registered, including 18,401 regular students. The exams will be conducted at 59 centres. Webcasting will be arranged, 13 observers were appointed, and all centres are equipped with CCTV cameras.II PU students completed two preparatory exams, with the pass percentage rising from 78% in the first to 85% in the second.
