Come exam times, school children get scared. They lose sleep, eating patterns go for a toss, moods swing wildly, health usually takes a beating and parents start to worry deeply. Many times, the parents push their children to their limits. They do not realize that this kind of stress could damage the child's self-esteem and confidence. What is the use of scoring high marks when the child will be reasonably unhappy at the end of it all? Sometimes, grand parents start to worry big time when the children are let loose. The social system that we are all used to forces us to conform. Any non-conforming patterns are either criticized or silently despised. Definitely fears set in the minds of adults that they dare not think of a possibility of leaving the child alone at some age.

I heard of a twelfth standard student who slogged so much for his public exams that he slept over 16 hours a day for one long month after the exams are over. I have heard of stories of children attempting to commit suicide even before they appear for the public exams. You may have heard or read about several cases of suicide attempts post exam results. How many children could be suffering silently without ever speaking out aloud or taking professional help to overcome the exam trauma?

Are these exams really worth the stress?

I recall deliberately failing in my preparatory biology exams in my 12th standard barely weeks before the public exams. I was protesting against the meaningless system of memorizing and reproducing. I even know remember the leaf arrangement of Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis is 'opposite-decussate'. Yet, I didn't write the answer in the preparatory exams. I scored a golden duck in the exam and got beaten black and blue at home. Looking back, in the final count, it didn't matter in my life.

How of us can put our hands up and say our schooling system gave us the skills that helps us today in our professions?

Twelve years of mostly useless education must go. It is time to reform the entire schooling system. Children must be allowed to discover themselves and their natural inclinations. We need to invent such a system that permits our children to explore, to make mistakes, learn from their mistakes and grow to be what they wish to be and not what we want them to be.

Will I see such a change happening in my life time?

--
I Am New,
Krish Murali Eswar.
Picture Courtesy: William & Mary Law Library