Across India, the pressure to clear entrance exams has reshaped how schools function, especially at the senior secondary level. From IIT-JEE and NEET to CUET and CLAT, the race for top scores has transformed classrooms into coaching extensions. Many schools have shifted their focus from holistic education to test-based preparation, turning learning into a mechanical process. While this exam-oriented model may produce high scorers, it often leaves students struggling with creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking — the true essence of education.
I wanted to write about this issue because it reflects a deeper problem in our education system. Having interacted with students and teachers, it’s clear that schools are increasingly treating learning as a means to crack exams rather than to build understanding. Parents, too, often get caught in this race, fearing that marks and ranks are the only measures of success. The result is a generation of students burdened with stress and limited by rote learning. It’s important to discuss this because the long-term cost of this approach is not just academic burnout but the loss of imagination and intellectual independence — qualities that society desperately needs.
How Schools Became Coaching Centres
Over the last decade, the line between schools and coaching centres has blurred. Especially in Classes 11 and 12, many schools have redesigned their timetables to align with the syllabus of entrance exams like JEE and NEET. Instead of focusing on comprehensive education, schools are increasingly preparing students to memorise formulas, solve objective questions, and master exam techniques.
In many cases, schools collaborate with private coaching institutes, offering “integrated programmes” that prioritise exam preparation over classroom learning. Students spend long hours solving practice papers while subjects like literature, history, and the arts are sidelined as “non-essential.” This narrow approach ignores the larger purpose of education — to create thinkers, problem solvers, and responsible citizens.
A teacher from a reputed Delhi school recently said that students are encouraged to skip extracurriculars and focus solely on test preparation. “We are producing toppers, not learners,” she admitted.
The Cost of an Exam-Obsessed System
The obsession with entrance exams comes with a heavy price, both for students and the education system.
1. Loss of Curiosity and Conceptual Understanding
Students often learn topics by rote because entrance exams reward speed and accuracy rather than deep understanding. Over time, curiosity fades, and learning becomes mechanical. Many students who excel in school struggle later in college because they lack analytical and creative skills.
2. Rising Mental Health Issues
Continuous pressure to perform has led to a rise in student anxiety, depression, and burnout. Cities like Kota and Hyderabad, known for coaching, have reported growing numbers of stress-related incidents among teenagers. When education becomes synonymous with competition, it strips away joy and replaces it with fear.
3. Neglect of Humanities and Arts
Subjects like philosophy, political science, and music are often dismissed as “unproductive.” Yet, these disciplines teach empathy, communication, and social awareness — qualities essential in any profession. A school system that sidelines these areas produces students who may be academically skilled but socially and emotionally disconnected.
4. Inequality in Learning Opportunities
Students from rural or low-income backgrounds who can’t afford expensive coaching are often left behind, despite having the same potential. The system favours those with access to resources, creating an uneven field that contradicts the idea of fair education.
How Schools and Parents Can Bring Balance
Reforming this system will take time, but both schools and parents can start making meaningful changes right now.
Encourage Holistic Learning
Schools need to restore balance in the curriculum by giving equal weight to arts, sports, and life skills. Regular discussions, reading activities, and creative projects can keep students connected to the joy of learning.
Focus on Conceptual Clarity, Not Just Marks
Teachers should ensure that students truly understand what they study rather than just preparing for multiple-choice exams. Learning by understanding — not memorising — creates long-lasting knowledge.
Mental Health Support
Schools should include counsellors who can help students manage exam anxiety and maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal growth. Stress management workshops should be a regular part of school life.
Parental Role in Reducing Pressure
Parents need to shift their perspective — success should not be measured only by ranks or scores. When parents celebrate learning and effort rather than just achievements, children grow with confidence rather than fear.
