CBSE launches free helpline to counsel students

• Call on Toll Free Number: 1800-11-7002 to clarify your doubt

The Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) has started a Toll Free helpline to counsel students during the Board examination. Through this, students of across the country can reach to 52 counsellors to call on 1800-11-7002 from any part of the country. The helpline operators will answer general queries and also connect students to counsellors for psychological counselling. The CBSE tele-helpline has started from February 1 and would continue till April 8, 2010.

The CBSE has, for the first time, introduced a Centralised Call System for better accessibility and students' convenience. "This system will first connect the caller to operators in Delhi where general queries can be addressed. If need be, the call can be transferred further to trained counselors," said Rama Sharma, Public Relations Officer, CBSE. The CBSE is offering counselling via telephone, Question-Answer columns in newspapers, IVRS and online counseling through the CBSE website to reach out to students and parents.

The telephonic counselling line will be operated by 52 principals, trained counselors from CBSE-affiliated government and private schools, psychologists and social scientists and is functional from 8 am to midnight from various locations including Delhi, Chandigarh, Kerela, Kanpur and Bangalore among others.

Helpline centres have also been opened at Kuwait, Dubai and Qatar. The facility to provide counselling to specially abled children, started last year, is available this year, too.

People can also log on to the CBSE website, www.cbse.nic.in, and interact with the Chairman on exam-related issues. The Centralised Call System can be accessed at the following numbers also: 011- 22236110, 011- 22236111, 011- 22236112 and 011- 22236113.

Source: The Times of India and Hindustan Times (New Delhi)