The helpline had been launched with a view to help students with examination-related stress and was functional from February to April last year, a duration when exam-related tension is at an all-time high.

The highlight of the cell was the appointment of subject experts to solve students’ queries.

A counsellor who dealt with English, said: “We have not heard anything from the department about whether it will start the helpline this year as well. Last year, we had dealt with a lot of questions related not only to the subject, but also related to examination phobia that many students suffer from.”

The counsellors feel that it should be launched this year too.

Another counsellor, meanwhile, said: “This is the time when students need a helping hand. There is so much stress and fear associated with the board examination that children find themselves under tremendous pressure. Last year, we got calls from students in far-off cities of Punjab.”

She added that not only students, but parents too called for counselling as they were as stressed as their wards.