Bhopal: The MP Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) Helpline, which has been the source of succour and comfort for lakhs of exam-stressed students, will not be available from Independence Day. Monday will be the last day of function of the helpline and it will be operational from January next year.
The helpline had started its operation from February 1 with aim and in the past six-and-a-half months it has received around 75,000 calls from students as well as their parents. Last year, its number was 36,000. The number of call doubled this year due to toll free number facility.
Since 2007, the Board runs helpline for students to provide guidance to the students in their psychological, educational and personal problems emerging during examination time. The helpline has not only received calls from different places in MP but also from other Hindi-speaking states.
“The helpline number has been benefited us a lot. It not only helps in our study but also keeps away from depression. I also helped to make us update. Due to the number only we could take exam stress free. It also provided career guidance. Also, the way of talking of counsellors here is very friendly. It is like good friends on us. I am shocked to hear the news of its closing,” said Preeti Chauhan a student of class XI.
The helpline is not only helpful for students but parents especially working one too. “It saves our time as well as energy. We get all information easily on phone. It is not possible for me to visit schools daily to collect. Also, counsellors are very cooperative,” said Pradeep Verma , a businessman.
The helpline service will not be available from Independence Day as it is only operational for six or seven months. It starts operating one month before the beginning of board examination and lasts till the results of supplementary exam. After getting response of students and parents, the board is planning to open a helpline centre on district level.
Hemant Sharma, in-charge of the helpline
