Ensure a stress-free life for students

Students enroll in universities with the dream of opening the doors of their minds to the world. The entire universe appears before them with infinite possibilities. Unfortunately, the university students in our country are increasingly confined to a closed well. They have no dreams ahead of them. Instead, they are immersed in worry every moment. Will they get a job they desire after completing their studies? In their despair, some even contemplate suicide.

Alarming information has emerged from a survey conducted by the non-governmental organization 'Aanchal Foundation' According to a news report published yesterday (March 8th), it has been revealed that the decline in the mental health of students is one of the reasons behind it. To understand the reasons behind the decline in the mental health of students in university life, the organization conducted a survey online last Friday (March 7th). The survey revealed that many students, after enrolling in universities with dreams of higher education, may not be able to adjust to the new environment.

Many students suffer from despair and depression due to dissatisfaction with the quality of education, campus environment, bullying by seniors and teachers, sexual harassment, worries about future careers, and the inability to open up and speak their minds. Due to intense mental instability and adverse conditions, 39 percent of students have contemplated suicide. 55 percent of students have expressed suffering from anxiety about their future careers.

We are more or less aware of all these circumstances. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) quarterly survey in May last month, the number of unemployed in the country is 25 lakh 90 thousand. One of the reasons for this unemployment is the small labor market in the country. Secondly, many students study at universities on subjects for which there is not much demand in the labor market. In the business and technology-driven world, many subjects in the arts departments have become almost irrelevant today. Due to the lack of opportunities for studying worthwhile subjects, a considerable number of students opt to study these subjects in various universities. One reason for this is that regardless of job availability, students in our country still have a great interest in higher education. However, without a mentality for advanced research, studying these subjects doesn't yield much benefit in today's world.

Rather, pursuing vocational education is preferable. Despite the government's long-standing promotion of vocational education, there hasn't been much awareness about its necessity among the public. The government also has some oversights. In many cases, the government has created opportunities for the admission of a larger number of students in universities in various subjects, which may give the impression that these actions contribute to unemployment. Students will study, some may remain unemployed, but the blame cannot be solely placed on the government for that.

The issue is indeed complex and vast. It's not possible to cover all aspects in a single editorial. Extensive research is necessary on this matter. However, in our country, there is a lack of surveys and research on various topics. Research is not given priority. Even without research, it's evident that universities today lack a cultural environment, there's no intellectual discourse, debate, academic circles, or film clubs. There's nothing substantial for the development of the mind and intellect. There's only violence, conflict, and chaotic politics.

Why do university students become victims of bullying and sexual harassment? Why can't university administrations ensure a safe environment for students? Why doesn't the environment stay conducive in university halls? Each of these issues warrants separate discussions. However, the bottom line is that without bringing about significant systemic changes in the education sector, there can be no escape from these problems. All stakeholders, including students, parents, university administrations, and the government, need to be vigilant about this. Students are the future of the country. If their lives are not free from worries, the country will sink into darkness.