CHENNAI: In the last month, state education helpline number 14417 has received more than one lakh phone calls from students across Tamil Nadu. This is the highest ever number of calls the helpline has received in a month since it was launched three years ago.
This time the most common question from students, including second and final year college students, was about career prospects due to the pandemic.
“My seniors studied the same course as I am currently pursuing but none got placed. Most of them are without jobs for a year,” said one of the callers, who is a third-year commerce student from Tirunelveli. “Many firms aren’t hiring, will that scene change anytime soon?” she questioned.
Paul Robinson, operations head of the helpline, said that while they cannot predict the future they suggested various options available to the students that will provide them with a secure future.
“We explain the courses and their career prospects and also list out the places that offer training and institutions offering higher studies. And our counselors also advise them accordingly, so that they do not lose hope,” he said.
In June, the helpline received at least 1,500 calls per day, the number reached 10,000 on June 2 and 3, after the chief minister mentioned the helpline in one of his speeches, said Robinson.
“Earlier we would get about 250 calls per day, but now questions have been pouring in from all parts of the state because students now know that it’s a single point communication for all queries related to education,” he said.
Due to the spike in the number of calls, the helpline will be adding more psychologists and counselors to their existing panel of 70, in the coming weeks.
“We need more people to handle students’ queries. We will scale up the team,” said Robinson.
Psychologists in the city opined that they’ve been receiving more calls from young graduates, who were concerned about their career.
“We have a generation that has not gone to work in the last year due to the pandemic. This in turn has an impact on their mental health, confidence, and self-esteem. Though we prescribe them ways to remain engaged, they all want a job desperately. If this is not tackled, we might see several mental health issues among youngsters,” said Rupali Shukla, a psychologist.
