'School Phobia' released

The book ‘School Phobia’ authored by renowned psychiatrist Dr P V Bhandari was released by Manipal University former Pro Vice Chancellor Prof P Varadaraj Bhandari at I M A Bhavan in Brahmagiri on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof P Varadaraj Bhandari opined that school phobia is commonly seen in school going children and occasionally in grown up students owing to various reasons developing fear.

Earlier, delivering talk on ‘Developing creativity amongst children,’ Dr T M A Pai Collegiate of Education Principal Dr Mahabaleshwara Rao said all human beings are creative and the creative activities are the replica of human brain.

“Every child is creative, school makes him idiot. Sociologists, psychologists and other intellectuals have envisaged their own concept of creativity. Originality, innovation, divergent thinking, ability to solve problems are some of the creative skills analyzed,” he added.

“Our environment is surrounded by ‘don’ts’. Today parents and teachers have gone beyond the idea of trial and error learning process. Reality shows have made children into products who are being marketed for profit,” he lamented.

He said that every child wishes to expose itself. Opportunities for experimentation should be facilitated. Actualising and understanding ones own self in the process of self actualisation is needed. Children are today brought up under the pressure of competitions. “Current society is success oriented and holds no patience for failures.
Logical thinking should be encouraged. Creativity is a process. It is intangible. Current academic curriculum lacks creative knowledge,” he added. ‘School phobia’ focuses on 10 students who suffered school phobia and the subsequent changes in their attitude after undergoing psychiatric counselling.

Psychiatrist Dr P V Bhandari, Dr A V Baliga Charitable Trust Administrative Trustee U R Acharya, Psychiatrist Dr Sripathy M Bhat, Udupi Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishath President Gananath Yekkar and others were present.