Are schools pushing 10th grade students too hard?

Schools also need to rethink the gruelling schedules; playtime and rest are not luxuries – they are necessities

By P Nagarjuna Rao

The 10th grade — the year of board exams — is a monumental milestone, and for many students, an intense grind that can feel like a never-ending uphill battle. For Rithika (name changed), a bright and witty student, it has turned her school life into a pressure cooker.

It is a year when the fun of school suddenly disappears, replaced by stress, long hours, and endless expectations. She sums it up perfectly: “From Class 1 to 9, they let us relax. But in 10th grade, they push us like never before.”

She isn’t alone. A conversation with her reveals the unspoken struggles many teenagers face in this crucial year of schooling.

Where did the balance go?
One of Rithika’s biggest frustrations is how Maths and Science get all the attention, while other subjects such as Hindi, Telugu, and English are treated as afterthoughts. “They act like only two subjects matter. But aren’t languages part of life too?” she asks. Her sense of being stuck between these extremes feels like, in her words, ‘dobi ka kutha, na ghar ka na ghaat ka’ — belonging nowhere.

Up before dawn
Rithika’s routine starts when most of us are still fast asleep. She gets up at 4:30 am every day to study until 7 am before getting ready for school. “It’s exhausting,” she admits, “but what choice do I have?” Like many of her peers, she sacrifices sleep and rest to keep up with the endless demands of her curriculum.

Rote learning
“Memorise this, remember that. But what’s the point if we don’t understand it?” Rithika sighs. Like many students, she struggles with a system that values rote learning over true understanding. This problem often starts in primary school, where some teachers aren’t well-trained. By the time students reach 10th grade, they are left scrambling to make sense of complicated concepts they should have mastered years earlier.

From dawn to dusk in school
Imagine being in school from 8 am to 7 pm – with barely any time to move around or play. That is what many students in 10th grade endure. “Some of my friends are already gaining weight and dealing with thyroid problems because there’s no physical activity,” Rithika says. The lack of balance between academics and exercise makes an already tiring routine even harder to bear.

Expectations from everyone, everywhere
If the long hours and tough subjects aren’t enough, there is the added pressure from parents, teachers, and even neighbours. Well-meaning relatives ask questions like, “How many hours do you study? What coaching classes do you go to?” It may seem harmless, but to students already under stress, it feels like the whole world is watching their every move. March 21, when Rithika’s exams begin, is still weeks away – but the stress started long ago.

Can things be better?
Yes, they can. Schools need to focus on all subjects equally. Languages and creative thinking are just as important as Maths and Science. Teachers should be trained to help students understand concepts instead of just memorising facts.

Schools also need to rethink the gruelling schedules. Playtime and rest are not luxuries – they are necessities. A balance between studies and physical activity would do wonders for students’ health and happiness.

Most importantly, parents and teachers should remember that success is not about one exam. Marks are important, but so are creativity, kindness, and resilience. Every student deserves to feel valued for who they are – not just for the marks they score.

Rithika may feel exhausted today, but her story should make us think. It is time to make school life healthier and more balanced for the next generation of learners.