Poor eating habits aggravate situation:

Competitive exams lead to students' mental stress

by Carol Aloysius

Over emphasis on examination performance is the main cause for mental stress in students, according to health officials.

"Studies have shown that academic stress is as high as 48 percent due to the very competitive examination oriented school system. Only 11 percent of schoolchildren relax and play to relieve stress", Head of School Nutrition Unit, Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Dr Ayesha Lokubalasuriya told the Sunday Observer.

"Their mental stress is aggravated by poor eating habits. Most students skip breakfast, eat fast food for lunch and don't have proper dinner, as they are focussed only on studies.

Nutritious balanced diets and physical activity will go a long way to enhance their examination performance and reduce stress levels", she said. Unhealthy eating habits could lead to early non communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, she said.

Assistant Director, Education Co-curricula Guidance and Counselling Ms Sarojini Wickramasinghe said that Grade 6-13 students (Ten to 19 years) were the most vulnerable to academic stress. She asked all parents to watch out for signs such as aggressiveness, loss of concentration, fatigue and headaches which could signal the onset of depression and even lead to suicide. "When they fail examinations and don't enter university they can't come to terms with it". Parents must spend more time with their children and monitor their movements and lifestyle changes", she said.

The Education Department has introduced Career Guidance for Grades eight and nine syllabuses, to provide university dropouts other career options. A module to train teachers in student counselling is also being prepared for schools", Wickremasinghe said.