The Pressure of Marks on School-Going Children and the Role of Teachers and Parents in Building the Future India
By Nilaya Shukla
India is a young nation, with nearly 40% of its population below the age of 18. These children are the architects of our future India ~ a country that aspires to be a global leader in innovation, knowledge, and values. However, the very system meant to educate and empower them often ends up burdening them with unrealistic academic expectations.
The growing pressure of marks has become a silent epidemic that affects not only the academic growth of students but also their emotional well-being, creativity, and mental health.
The Reality of Academic Pressure: Data Speaks
According to a UNICEF India Report (2023), nearly 70% of school-going children in India experience exam-related anxiety. A National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT, 2022) survey found that 66% of students from classes 9–12 feel “extreme pressure” to score high marks.
Even more alarming, NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data for 2023 recorded over 2,500 student suicides in India due to exam stress and academic failure. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2024) also reported that one in seven adolescents worldwide faces mental health issues ~ many linked to academic pressure and fear of underperformance.
These numbers reveal an uncomfortable truth: our education system’s obsession with marks is weakening the very foundation of our future generation.
Causes Behind the Pressure
Competition Over Learning: Students are taught to chase numbers, not knowledge.
Parental and Social Expectations: Many children fear disappointing their parents more than failing an exam.
Comparison and Judgment: Constant comparison with toppers or peers damages self-esteem.
High-Stakes Examinations: Board results and entrance exams determine career paths, often too early in life.
Lack of Emotional Support: Few schools have trained counsellors or systems to deal with student anxiety.
Consequences for Future India
If the youth of today grow up under chronic academic stress, India risks losing generations of creative thinkers, innovators, and emotionally balanced citizens.
When learning becomes a burden rather than a joy, curiosity dies ~ and with it, the ability to question, imagine, and innovate. A stressed mind cannot think freely; and a fearful learner cannot lead confidently.
To make India a knowledge powerhouse and a compassionate society, education must focus on skills, creativity, and character ~ not just grades.
Role of Teachers: The Guiding Light
Teachers are the builders of the nation’s intellectual and moral fabric. In shaping the future India, their role extends far beyond textbooks.
Focus on Understanding, Not Memorization: Teach concepts through practical examples and real-life connections.
Encourage Open Discussion: Allow students to express doubts without fear of ridicule.
Promote Continuous Evaluation: Replace one-time exams with regular assessments and feedback.
Be Mentors, Not Judges: Recognize emotional distress early and guide students toward help.
Integrate Life Skills and Values: As per NEP 2020 (National Education Policy), schools should focus on holistic learning including mindfulness, empathy, and teamwork.
A teacher who nurtures curiosity and confidence today is nurturing the innovators, scientists, and leaders of tomorrow’s India.
Role of Parents: The First Teachers
Parents are a child’s first emotional support system. Their understanding can make all the difference between motivation and mental exhaustion.
Encourage Effort, Not Perfection: Celebrate sincerity and hard work, not just top marks.
Avoid Comparisons: Every child has a unique pace and potential.
Be Emotionally Available: A simple “It’s okay, try again” can heal more than a hundred lectures.
Foster Balance: Allow children to pursue hobbies ~ music, sports, art ~ which develop personality and reduce stress.
Value Learning Over Rank: Show by example that success is measured by honesty, compassion, and resilience, not report cards.
When parents shift from pressure to participation, they become partners in building a confident, capable future citizen.
The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions an India where education is flexible, skill-oriented, and child-centric. But for this vision to succeed, teachers and parents must transform the culture around marks.
Future India needs thinkers, not just toppers; creators, not just crammers.
A nation’s progress will not be defined by how many children score above 90%, but by how many dare to think differently, lead fearlessly, and live joyfully.
Conclusion
The pressure of marks is not just an educational concern ~ it is a national concern that directly affects India’s future.
Teachers must act as mentors and motivators, while parents must become listeners and supporters. Together, they can create an environment where children learn not out of fear, but out of curiosity and love for knowledge.
Let the report cards of tomorrow measure growth, not grades ~ because the true progress of India lies not in numbers, but in the strength of its young minds and compassionate hearts.