As exams draw near, anxiety tends to creep in, not just for students, but for parents and teachers too. While marks often take centre stage, educators and parents across India are urging a more compassionate approach: one that values learning, self-belief, and emotional well-being over grades.
“The most important and primary point is to remove the fear of failure,” says Ms. S. Biswas of Methodist School, Dankuni.“Not to pressurise a student unnecessarily. Let the child decide his or her stream so that he or she can take up a preferred career. Exams aren’t about success or failure, it’s basically about assessing the students’ knowledge. We put excess pressure on the children to score marks but the emphasis should be on gaining knowledge. In my opinion, this will ease the pressure a little.”
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When parents lead with empathy
Parents, too, are echoing this call for understanding. Sonali Ghosh, a mother, believes marks can never define a child’s worth. “A low score or a failure isn’t the end of the road; it’s just a small pause before a new beginning. When things don’t go as expected, let’s hold their hand, not raise our voice,” she says. “Celebrate even the smallest achievements as those moments build their confidence and joy.”
For Suparna Bandopadhyaya of Centre Point School, Nagpur, realistic goals and self-care matter most. “Not everyone will excel in the exam, but that’s okay. If the task seems enormous, break it into small goals, achieve them, and celebrate each one. Take breaks. All cannot meditate, but do something that makes you feel good,” she advises. Her parting line is a reminder every student should hear - “It’s not a life and death situation. It’s only an exam!”
Parents like Soma Burman believe structure and confidence go hand in hand. “Tell your child to be positive, boost confidence, and try to finish the syllabus one month before. That gives enough time to revise and before the final exam, mock tests will be helpful,” she says.
What schools can do to ease the pressure?
From Bengaluru, Ms. Rajeshwari B.C., Principal of Embassy Academy, stresses that empathy from both teachers and parents is crucial. “Teachers should make it clear that exams are a way to check understanding, not to judge ability,” she explains. Regular practice sessions, motivational stories, and small stress-relief activities can make all the difference. “When teachers show faith in their students, anxiety turns into motivation.”
Parents, she adds, should focus on calm support at home. “Home should be a place of comfort, not pressure. Doing your best matters more than topping the class. Children pick up their parents’ emotions quickly so when parents stay patient and positive, children learn to face challenges with courage.”
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Echoing a similar sentiment, Gunjal Chaturvedi, DP Coordinator at Stonehill International School, Bengaluru, says both teachers and parents play vital emotional roles. “Sometimes, students have studied well but still doubt themselves. In such cases, reassurance works better than revision,” she notes. Encouraging open conversations about stress, planning realistic schedules, and reminding students that exams don’t define their worth are key. “After an exam, the most valuable skill is letting go,” she adds. “Celebrate the effort, not just the result.”
These voices remind us that exams may come and go but the lessons of patience, understanding, and encouragement are what truly help children grow.
