Chennai, March 3 (NationPress) In a tragic incident, a Class 12 student in Tamil Nadu attempted suicide by self-immolation early Monday morning, just moments before her board exams were about to commence.

The event unfolded in Tiruvallur, where the student, who had been studying late into the night, ascended to the rooftop of her residence, doused herself in petrol, and ignited the flames. Her parents, upon noticing the fire, hurried her to Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital, where she initially received treatment before being transferred to Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital for further care.

The young girl is currently fighting for her life with critical burn injuries. The Tiruvallur police have opened a case and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities are delving into the potential motivations behind her drastic action, especially considering she had achieved an impressive 92 percent in her Class 10 board exams.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, announced that 8.21 lakh Class 12 students participated in the exams on Monday (March 3). Additionally, 8.23 lakh Class 11 students are scheduled to take their exams starting March 5, while 9.13 lakh Class 10 candidates will begin their examinations on March 28, resulting in a total of over 25.57 lakh candidates. Among them, 20,746 students with disabilities will also be taking part in the exams. The Class 12 examinations are set to conclude on March 25, Class 11 on March 27, and Class 10 on April 15.

The Department of Government Examination (DGE) has tentatively planned to announce the results on April 9 for Class 12 and April 19 for Classes 11 and 10. To ensure the exams run smoothly, a district-level examination committee will be established under the respective district collectors to manage essential arrangements, including sufficient drinking water and reliable power supply at exam centres.

Over 45,000 teachers will be assigned to exam-related responsibilities, and more than 4,800 flying squads will be deployed to deter malpractice. A dedicated exam control room has been set up at the DGE headquarters, operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on exam days. This facility is available to students, parents, and the public for any inquiries, complaints, or clarifications.

Moreover, students facing stress or anxiety related to the exams are encouraged to reach out via the dedicated helpline numbers: 94983-83075 and 94983-83076.

The School Education Minister has urged students to seek help when necessary, assuring them that all essential support will be provided.

To uphold the integrity of the examination process, the use of mobile phones is strictly banned within the exam centre premises for both students and invigilators. This unfortunate incident in Tiruvallur underscores the enormous academic pressure students experience during board exams. Authorities are now investigating whether stress played a role in the student's extreme action. The government continues to encourage students to seek support and counselling if they are grappling with exam-related anxiety.