New Delhi: Concerned about the mental well being of children as they grow into adults, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is conducting a nationwide survey to analyse the emotional experience of children in schools and the initial results have not been encouraging.

"The initial results of the survey have revealed that there is extreme negativity amongst schoolchildren," NCERT director Krishna Kumar said at a panel discussion on corporal punishment in schools here on Thursday.

"There is so much pressure on a child these days that it becomes difficult for him or her to deal with stress. From examination stress in grade one right up to the pressure of performance at the IIT and MBA entrance examinations, the narrow mindset of parents and teachers that marks are all that a child needs to build his future is frustrating.

"To analyse the emotional experience of children as they go through school, we decided to conduct a nation wide survey. The result of the survey is expected to be out by August-September this year," Kumar told source on the sidelines of the discussion.

He was also extremely critical of "the system", which he says refuses to take a wider view of education.

"We have failed to convince the government to stop centralised exams at grade 10. There has to be a wider view of the education system so that subjects don't become terrorising for a child," Kumar said. IANS