For over two decades in the education sector, I’ve watched children rise, fall, explore, retreat, and rediscover themselves. But there’s one pattern that has always weighed heavily on my heart: our collective obsession with marks and our narrow understanding of “SUCCESS.”
As parents and educators, we often talk at our children, not with them — and only on one subject: their scores.
But here’s a question I ask from my heart and my training as a child psychologist:
“What if we raised children to be wise, not just well-graded?”
We often behave as if a child’s worth is tied to their academic report. But what about their courage to stand on a stage? Their empathy towards a classmate? Their ability to question, to imagine, to try and fail and try again?
Let me say it clearly:
Marks matter — but they are not the measure of a life well lived.
🌿 A Child Is Not a Container to Be Filled, But a Flame to Be Lit
Philosopher Socrates once said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
And I resonate with that deeply. Every child comes with their own inner light. The role of education is not to pour information into them but to ignite their inner fire — of curiosity, confidence, character, and compassion.
We don’t need more perfect report cards. We need aware, resilient, and reflective human beings who know how to navigate the complexities of life.
🧠 My Vision of Education: Wholesome, Human-Centric, and Heart-Led
True education must go beyond textbooks. It must touch:
The Mind — through conceptual understanding, not rote memorization
The Body — through expression, movement, skill, and presence
The Heart — through emotional intelligence, empathy, and values
The Soul — through self-awareness and inner alignment
Every child is a universe. And no single syllabus can contain them. Why, then, do we treat education as a one-size-fits-all structure?
“No flower blooms by being forced. It blooms by being nurtured.”
At Ujjwal School, we’ve chosen nurturing over forcing, inspiring over instructing, and guiding over grading.
🌈 A New Kind of Education — Rooted in Life Skills and Reality
When I started feeling disillusioned with the mark-centric system, I didn’t quit. I questioned. I experimented. And what emerged was a life-changing curriculum — literally.
Today, our school offers a parallel life-learning program alongside academics, covering:
NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)
Double Doodle Brain Gym & Body Language
Public Speaking & Stage Daring
Emotional Literacy & Gender Equality
Psychology and Decision Making
Gratitude and Cognitive skills
This is not “extra” — this is essential.
Because tomorrow’s world doesn’t just need toppers. It needs thinkers, leaders, listeners, dreamers, and doers.
🎤 Let’s Raise Children Who Know Who They Are — Not Just What They Scored
Today’s generation will inherit a complex world. Climate challenges, technological revolutions, global competition, and emotional burnout — are they truly ready with only textbook knowledge?
“In the race of marks, let’s not forget to teach our children how to live.”
Because someday, a child will forget the trigonometry formula — but they’ll remember how their teacher made them feel.
They’ll remember the confidence they built while presenting in front of a crowd.
They’ll remember the resilience they developed when they failed and were still encouraged to try again.
🕊 Education Is a Sacred Journey, Not a Competitive Game
“The highest purpose of education is not just employment — it is enlightenment.”
At Ujjwal School, we’re committed to bringing this enlightenment into our classrooms — not as a lofty idea, but as a lived reality.
We don’t just teach Science, Math, or English.
We teach life — with laughter, challenge, expression, and freedom.
When students feel emotionally safe, intellectually inspired, and spiritually connected — they don’t just perform better.
They become better. Humans. Leaders. Souls.
🧭 Let’s Reclaim the True Purpose of Education
The ancient Indian philosophy believed that Vidya (true learning) leads to Moksha (freedom).
Freedom from fear. Freedom from doubt. Freedom from limitation.
Let us return to that wisdom.
Let us give our children not just grades, but grace.
Not just information, but insight.
Not just expectations, but encouragement.
So what is education, truly?
It’s the art of helping a soul remember who they are and equipping them to live that truth fully.
Let’s teach that in our schools.
Let’s Make It Solid, Silly.
Also read:
Montessori Classroom: How can I Channel Children’s Curious Energy?
Teacher Well-being: Simple Practices to Avoid Burnout and Improve Classroom Energy