Dr. Priyanka Saurabh
The recent news of the sudden death of a 10-year-old child is not just a tragic incident, but a reflection of one of the gravest social ironies of our times. The possible causes suggested by doctors—lack of sleep, going to school without breakfast, heavy school bags, the mental pressure of homework and performance, and the lack of timely and nutritious meals—point to a system in which childhood is being constantly crushed. This incident forces us to consider whether, in our attempt to provide children with a better future, we are robbing them of their present.
Today’s society is caught in a blind race for achievement. Parents, teachers, and institutions—all, in one form or another, have embraced competition as the fundamental principle of life. The most vulnerable victims of this competition are children, who are still at an age for play, learning, and natural development. At four or five years old, when a child is just beginning to understand the world, they are expected to wake up on time, complete a prescribed curriculum, ace exams, and decide their future direction right away. This thinking is not only unscientific but also inhuman.
Child psychology clearly states that a child’s brain is most malleable and sensitive during their early years. Pressure exerted during this period has long-term effects on their personality, self-confidence, and health. Lack of sleep, stress, and fear disrupt the learning process. Yet, we wake children up in the mornings, send them to school without breakfast, and expect them to remain active and focused throughout the day. This expectation is far from reality.
Heavy school bags have been a topic of discussion for years. Despite government guidelines and court orders, young children are still seen carrying loads exceeding their own weight on their shoulders. This isn’t just a physical problem; it also sends a psychological message that education is a burden, not a joy. When education becomes a burden, a child’s natural curiosity for learning gradually fades.
Homework and exam pressure exacerbate this problem. The purpose of homework should be to reinforce class learning and reinforce understanding, not to intimidate the child. However, in practice, homework often becomes a form of punishment. Incomplete reprimands, punishments, and comparisons—all of which undermine a child’s self-esteem. Instead of learning, they become afraid of mistakes, and this fear ultimately leads to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Food and daily routine also play a crucial role in children’s health. Not getting timely and nutritious meals at school, being forced to eat cold lunches, and the pressure to bathe and study without rest as soon as they return home—all of this ignores a child’s natural body needs. The body and mind need rest. Constant activity without rest exhausts a child’s resilience.
Equally important is the question of what we truly want from our children. Do we want them to be happy, healthy, and sensitive human beings, or merely machines for scoring marks and titles? When parents compare their children to others—”So and so’s child is doing this, why can’t you?”—they inadvertently instill a sense of inferiority in them. This comparison breeds social competition, in which everyone strives to get ahead, even if it costs the child their childhood.
The education system must also introspect in this regard. Schools are not merely factories for completing curriculum; they are laboratories for building society. If schools lack adequate space for play, art, communication, and creative activities, education is incomplete. Teachers are not only imparters of knowledge to children, but also guides and mentors. Creating an atmosphere of fear in the name of discipline is contrary to the fundamental purpose of education.
The role of the government and administration at the policy level is also crucial. Clear and strict guidelines are needed on school bag weight, school hours, the amount of homework, and the examination system in early grades. Effective monitoring mechanisms must also be in place to ensure adherence to these rules. Regular health checkups, counseling services, and nutrition programs should become integral to children’s education.
The biggest question for parents is one of self-reflection. It’s important to remember our own educational journey—when we started school, how we learned, how much space was given to play and friendship. Were we truly more capable than today’s children, or did we simply have more time and freedom to learn? If we struggled and progressed, it’s not necessary to assume our children will follow the same path. Every generation has different challenges and needs.
It’s also important to understand that success isn’t just about a high position or a high salary. Success also includes becoming a balanced, sensitive, and responsible citizen. If a child isn’t mentally healthy, their achievements are meaningless. Society must recognize that not every child is the same—their interests, abilities, and pace vary. The goal of education should be to respect these differences, not to suppress them.
The role of media and social discourse is no less important. When we only talk about toppers, ranks, and records, it indirectly creates an atmosphere of pressure. We must also highlight stories where children have given meaning to life through sports, art, service, and human values. This will balance society’s perspective.
Ultimately, the question before us is—are we truly shaping our children’s futures, or are we burdening them with our own egos and insecurities? If the price of an achievement is a child’s health, smile, and life, then it’s not an achievement, it’s a failure. Children don’t need pity, they need rights—to rest, to play, to make mistakes, and to grow at their own pace.
Now is the time to choose compassion over competition. Free education from fear, protect childhood, not burden it. Because a healthy childhood is the foundation of a healthy society, and if the foundation is weak, the building of the future, no matter how tall, will not stand. |
