(A glimpse into the forthcoming book “From the Principal’s Desk – A Journey of Lessons“)
Dr Arun Prakash
One concern I must address—and you’ll relate to this—is the “Sharma ji ka beta” syndrome, which now has evolved. Earlier it was all about marks. Now, it’s marks plus music plus coding plus karate plus kathak. All by the age of 12.
I’ve seen children come to school looking more tired than their working parents—crammed with every hobby class in town. Why? Because mummy wants her daughter to be a CV superstar. No less than Sharma ji’s beta.
But here’s the thing—children are not projects. They are people. They need space to grow, not pressure to perform on every front. Let them try things. Let them drop things. Let them fall in love with one thing, not fifty.
A balanced approach, where a child is allowed to explore a few genuine interests and also has time to rest, to reflect, to just be—that creates wonders. That balance, ironically, will help them crack IIT too. Why? Because the exam now tests not just rote learning but application, clarity of thought, and mental stamina—all of which are honed by engaging in the right kind of activities.
So yes, extracurriculars matter. But only when pursued with joy, not judgment.
Children are not resumes in progress—they are stories unfolding. Let’s not edit out their joy just to impress the world.
Coming Soon…