KARACHI:
Every academic year, as boards release their results, we see the same celebration cycle: toppers featured in newspapers, families distributing sweets, and schools advertising their “star performers”. But behind these shining headlines lies an uncomfortable reality that we rarely address — the harmful obsession with grades that’s suffocating millions of Pakistani students.
We have created a culture where grades are not just a measure of academic performance but a moral judgment — of intelligence, character, even worthiness. The pursuit of high marks has overtaken the purpose of education itself — which should be curiosity, critical thinking and the growth of human potential. In this system, students are discouraged from asking questions, from exploring their unique interests, and from failing — even temporarily.
What’s worse is how this obsession with grades intersects with class inequality. Urban, high-income students often have access to quality tutoring, exam strategies and mental health support. Meanwhile, public school students must memorise outdated textbooks in overcrowded classrooms, with little individualised attention. Yet society compares both groups using the same grading metrics.
Equally troubling is how academic difficulty is often met with emotional neglect. Students struggling with learning challenges, trauma or stress are told to “work harder” or “pray more”. The emotional burden on students is immense, and it is carried silently — especially by those who are never seen as “toppers”.
The need of the hour is to shift our mindset. Teachers must be trained to nurture diverse learning styles. Schools should incorporate alternative assessments that encourage creativity and problem-solving. Parents must be supported in understanding that grades are not the only — or even the best — measure of success. And as a society, we must learn to value resilience, empathy and originality just as much as we value marks.
Because the truth is: not every student will be a topper. But every student deserves to feel seen, supported and capable of thriving in their own way.
Quratulain Qureshi
Hyderabad
