OPINION: Balancing grades and well-being in education |
Education in Pakistan is currently at a crossroads. It should be a tool for personal growth and societal progress, yet the overwhelming academic pressure placed on students is doing more harm than good. With a heavy focus on grades, homework, and long exam periods, the education system has created an environment where academic success is seen as the only measure of a child’s worth.
Unfortunately, this mindset undermines children’s mental health and development, leaving them poorly prepared to become creative, critical thinkers in an ever-changing world.
The race to secure high grades has become one of the most damaging aspects of Pakistan’s education system. In our current system, anything less than an ‘A’ is often considered a failure. A child who scores a ‘B’ or ‘C’ is seen as incapable of handling their studies, which hurts their self-esteem and limits their potential.
This leads children to equate their value with their grades, rather than focusing on developing their skills and abilities. In contrast, countries like Finland, the UK, and the US view grades like ‘B’ or ‘C’ as perfectly acceptable, with more emphasis on well-rounded development.
These countries focus on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and emotional resilience, rather than simply striving for academic perfection. Finland’s education system, for instance, prioritizes project-based learning and emotional well-being, giving students the space to grow at their own pace. This is something Pakistan can learn from creating a balanced environment that nurtures both academic knowledge and personal growth.
The commercialization of education has only made the situation worse. As the government has struggled to provide affordable and quality education through public schools, the private sector has filled the gap. Unfortunately, this has shifted the focus to profit-driven education, where financial gains often take precedence over the well-being of........