The table shows four steps taken by a school counsellor for Tanya, a Class 10 student who has lost faith in herself. Which of the steps are approaches to foster positive self-esteem?
| Step | Action taken by the counsellor |
|---|---|
| P | Holds weekly talks where Tanya can share her worries openly and is not judged |
| Q | Asks Tanya to aim to "do better in life somehow" |
| R | Asks Tanya to raise her mathematics score from 50 to 65 by the end of the term |
| S | Makes sure Tanya cannot get sleeping pills or sharp tools in the hostel |
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → P and R only
Option (1) P and Q only — Incorrect. P is right: open, non-judging talks are establishing a trustful communication. Q is wrong: "do better somehow" is vague, and a goal for self-esteem must be specific and measurable.
Option (2) P and R only — Correct. P builds trustful communication. R sets a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (50 to 65 by term end). Both are approaches to foster positive self-esteem.
Option (3) P, R and S only — Incorrect. P and R fit, but S does not. Keeping away pills and sharp tools is limiting access to the means of suicide, a WHO prevention measure.
Option (4) Q, R and S only — Incorrect. Q is a vague goal, so it fails the specific and measurable test. S is a suicide-prevention measure. Only R here builds self-esteem.
NCERT (2026-27): “Bipolar and Related Disorders … “• accentuating positive life experiences to develop positive identity. This increases confidence in self.” “• providing opportunities for development of physical, social and vocational skills.” “• establishing a trustful communication.” “• goals for the students should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, to be completed within a relevant time frame.” |