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CBSE exams are less stressful now, says counsellor

Ras Al Khaimah - A day after the board exam results were announced, Prof M. Abubaker has been a busy man taking calls from students and parents. His job as one of the three counsellors appointed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) comes with his role as the principal of Scholars Indian School in Ras Al Khaimah.

For six years, Abubaker has been helping the board in its outreach programme by dedicating his time to help ease post-result anxiety among UAE students. From giving career advice to listening parents weep over the phone, his voluntary efforts are largely an act of selfless service.  

“People call anytime and I make sure I attend every individual call. I do it voluntarily and it is a sort of social service without monetary gain,” he told Khaleej Times.

The post-result CBSE counselling began from Monday and continues till June 8 daily from 4pm to 8pm. Counselling services are aimed at helping students and parents overcome common psychological problems and general queries related to Grade 10 and 12 results.

“I have already received a few calls from both students and parents. Most of the queries are related to revaluation and retotaling. Students sometimes ask about why they score less marks and sometimes I tell them it can be an evaluation problem and how to apply for revaluation,” added Abubaker.

CBSE tele-counselling is largely offered by trained counsellors and principals from within CBSE affiliated schools located in India and outside India. It is a voluntary, free of cost service provided by the participants.

“The number of calls compared to two years back has dramatically reduced. Almost all students are getting good marks and liberal evaluation has also helped reduce stress. The board is receptive of higher order thinking skills and students can jot down their own ideas and explanations to such questions in a paper.”

Each call lasts between five to seven minutes and the counsellors objectively provide feedback on queries by individual students or parents.

Techniques to cope with result related anxiety are available at the CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in by accessing icon Helpline.

“People are in need of help during these times. While each school has its own counsellors, CBSE counsellors are available to help even in the absence of help from any school. Doing this gives me happiness,” shared Abubaker.

Each day counsellors receive a dozen odd calls with sometimes parents looking to just share their worries and anxiety.

“Sometimes people call me as early as 6am and sometimes as late as midnight. I don’t turn them down even though it’s outside the time scheduled for counselling. You never know what problem the student may be facing and sometimes these issues have to be addressed on an urgent basis.”

Prof M. Abubaker can be reached on 0505794542. -muaz@khaleejtimes.com