Rethinking parenting and education in a changing world

In today’s fiercely competitive and fast-changing world, education is often considered the foundation of a child’s future.

- SAKSHI SETHI

Across India-and indeed globally-academic achievement is frequently regarded as the most reliable indicator of success. Parents go to great lengths to ensure their children excel, investing in private tutoring, enrolling them in competitive exams, and tracking every grade with meticulous attention. While such efforts are driven by love and ambition, this narrow focus on academics can be limiting.

A child is not a container to be filled with facts, but a unique individual whose personality, emotional well-being, and character must be nurtured. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Parenting, therefore, extends far beyond report cards. It is a long-term responsibility that encompasses emotional support, value-building, and preparing children to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many cracks in our educational and parenting frameworks. With schools closed and routines disrupted, parents had to assume multiple roles: educators, emotional anchors, and constant companions. In India, this challenge was compounded by the digital divide-many children, particularly in rural or economically disadvantaged communities, lacked access to online education. This dual burden-academic continuity and mental well-being-brought into sharp focus the need for a more holistic and inclusive approach to parenting and education.