A few days ago, almost all my friends celebrated the students who got top marks in the ninth-grade exams. They applauded the hard work, good parenting, and great teaching.
But my heart aches for the children who couldn’t study well or weren’t taught in a proper way. I feel a deep sadness for those bright kids who only speak their native language at home and school, but were given English books to memorize. They must be feeling ashamed, hurt, and embarrassed by their low marks, fighting with themselves and silently shedding tears.
This isn’t to say we shouldn’t appreciate the successful students. I am genuinely happy for all of them and wish them a bright future. However, I am also deeply concerned about the children who didn’t pass this time.
I believe many of these children are very innocent and don’t know how to be good students. Their parents and teachers might not know how to help them either. So, my dear friends, please don’t be upset with these lovely children. This is just the first challenge in their lives; please don’t treat it as the final one.
Our high expectations and scolding could lead our children down a heartbreaking path, just like Bilal from Multan and the daughter of Rana Younis from Gujranwala, who chose to end their lives just for failing one subject.
Mental distress is a serious issue. That’s why Harmeen Matra from Sananwan, even after scoring 435 out of 550, couldn’t handle his parents’ expectations and sadly gave up on life.
Dear parents, please be wise. In our society, even if your child gets a perfect score, there is no guarantee of success or a good career based on marks alone. The very subjects we expect our children to ace with a 100% score are either already outdated or are becoming so.
My request to you is this: If your child didn’t pass, got low marks, or failed to meet your academic expectations, please comfort them. Hold them close. Don’t let a 14- or 15-year-old child fall into mental distress. Don’t break their spirit. Don’t push a young teen to a point where they feel like giving up on life.
Even children with lower marks can become successful and make you proud in ways you never imagined.
We must recognize that every child’s potential cannot be measured by a single exam. The education system often overlooks different types of intelligence, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical skills. A child who struggles with memorizing facts might excel in art, music, sports, or technology. By focusing solely on academic scores, we risk discouraging these hidden talents and making our children believe they are failures. It’s our responsibility as a society to provide a supportive environment where every child feels valued, regardless of their grades.
Furthermore, the pressure from society, and particularly from social media, creates an impossible standard for our children. They see their peers’ successes celebrated online and feel immense pressure to achieve the same. This constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, adding another layer to the stress they already face. We need to teach our children that their worth is not defined by likes, comments, or a report card. Their happiness, mental health, and personal growth are far more important than any academic achievement.