Marks Don’t Matter: Let’s Enjoy Learning & Not Hype Board Exams

Kids are least interested in increasing their knowledge and instead their focus is to surpass Sharma ji ka ladka.

We need to understand that ultimately life is much more important than any marks and everything else.

(Photo: Shruti Mathur/The Quint)

Board exams have already begun and students are all set with their weapons to enter the battleground. The preparations have taken their ‘final shape’ and it is high time to implement the strategies and plans.

Though, students are mostly prepared at this point of time, but still 'Exam fever' can never give them an opportunity to relax since 'Exam' is not merely a combination of four alphabets, instead, it echoes stories which speak of anxiety and tension and this is not because the students are not prepared, rather, the major reason behind it is peer pressure.

Nowadays, students, are least interested in increasing their knowledge, and instead their focus is to surpass Sharma ji ka ladka.

It's all because of the societal pressure that exams bring with them. Education has completely been transformed into a race, and gradually the joy of learning is being substituted by the selfish desire to become a topper.

Students who are unable to excel in this race, undergo depression, and at times may take devastating decisions. This is a major cause of concern, which demands immediate attention.

We need to understand that ultimately life is way more important than any marks and everything else. One cannot compare it with any degree or score, so it's really necessary to take care of ourselves.

The competitive attitude and the societal pressure related to examinations and marks needs to be eradicated soon. This would give young minds a chance to explore their potential. It is the responsibility of parents to give their children enough freedom and support them so that they can enjoy learning and not get scared of the exams.

This year, let's not give much significance to percentages, grades and subjects, and instead, let's pledge to enjoy learning, gain knowledge and develop competency.

(Bhavna Jha is a student and an independent social worker from Ranchi, Jharkhand.)