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By Kemigisha Shanitah
“You need to go to school, graduate, get a well-paying job, and then become someone important in the future.” “You need to take your studies seriously, or else your future is at stake.” These, and many other statements, were constantly said by teachers and parents as I was growing up. I do not believe these statements have faded from the minds of young children, especially those in primary and high school, and even in colleges and universities, in my opinion.
Education is often touted as the key to unlocking a brighter future, but beneath the surface lies a sinister reality that many, including students, never discuss—because no one wants to listen and understand. Many students are trapped in a system that prioritizes academic achievement over mental and emotional well-being. The consequences are devastating, leaving scars that can last a lifetime.
The pressure to perform is suffocating, with grades and rankings serving as constant reminders of their worth. (Picture imagined by Meta AI)
Students are overwhelmed with an unrelenting workload, forced to navigate a sea of assignments, exams, and projects. The pressure to perform is suffocating, with grades and rankings serving as constant reminders of their worth. This relentless drive for academic excellence exacts a heavy toll. Anxiety and stress become constant companions, and sleep deprivation is rampant since students don't get enough rest due to early morning and late evening remedial classes. This leaves the brain with no choice but to cram and memorize rather than truly understand the material. It creates a generation of people who say, "I was studying to pass the exam." And indeed, they pass the exams without acquiring real knowledge or the ability to apply their skills in their respective fields.
Stiff competition among schools has left students with no option but to become silent slaves of education. Schools compete for academic performance to attract parents, who in turn send their children to the best-performing schools.
The hidden agenda of some school proprietors is to collect large sums of money in the form of school fees. Unfortunately, many parents have fallen prey to this because they want to see their children attend prestigious, high-performing schools. This desire has created a huge gap between parents and their children, neglecting the safe space needed for open communication. Parents trust the school system more than they trust their own children.
Skipped attention
Education doesn’t only happen in schools; it also takes place outside of school, where nurturing is essential. The saying "Charity begins at home" underscores the reality that schools don’t provide the complete package.
If you attain multiple degrees but lack the proper attitude to apply them to real-life situations, the entire purpose of education becomes futile. Unfortunately, not enough attention is given to this aspect.
Many people have an entrepreneurial spirit and may not be academically gifted, yet they are placed in the same category as those who excel academically. It is often wrongly assumed that only the academically gifted will succeed in life.
Most people are in school not because they want to be, but because they have been told that after reaching the tertiary level, they will get meaningful jobs. This perception—that they have made it in life—becomes deeply ingrained in them. As a result, you may find a child who excels in football sitting in a classroom, along with others who have dreams that need nurturing outside the classroom, all because society demands it.
The writer is a Mass Communication Student at Makerere University
