Grades, originally just a tool for evaluating academic performance, have gradually become a measure of ability, and even a measure of a student's value in the eyes of adults.
Nowadays, it's a fact that many students are no longer afraid of not understanding the lesson, but rather afraid of making mistakes. They are afraid of being criticized, afraid of being compared, afraid of getting a lower grade than they truly are.
However, not all families place such emphasis on academic achievement. Ms. Dang Thi Thu, a parent whose child is in 9th grade at Luong The Vinh Secondary School in Hoa Khanh ward, shared that what she cares about most is not how many points her child gets, but whether her child is happy after each school day.
According to Ms. Thu, she feels reassured when she sees her child excitedly talking about school, teachers, and friends. "Grades may change, but the child's feelings and spirit are very important," she said.
Ms. Thu believes that when children learn in a relaxed environment, without the pressure of comparison, their academic results gradually improve. "Children learn better when they are happy. For me, that happiness is far more important than a few grades on paper," she shared.
This perspective is not about downplaying the importance of learning, but rather about prioritizing a child's mental and emotional development, in a context where many students are experiencing prolonged stress due to the pressure of academic achievement.
In contrast to that gentle perspective, Ms. Lu Thi Anh Dao, a parent whose child is in 11th grade at Thanh Khe High School, frankly views the pressure from a different angle.
"I'm under pressure, but actually, my parents are under just as much pressure. We're afraid I'll do poorly in school, afraid I won't keep up with my friends, afraid I won't achieve the desired results in exams later," she said.
According to Ms. Dao, the pressure to achieve high grades doesn't arise spontaneously, but stems from the demanding curriculum, societal expectations, and the invisible comparisons between families.
"Many times we know that forcing our children is wrong, but if we don't push them, we worry. Parents fall into a vicious cycle of anxiety, and unintentionally pass that pressure on to their children," Ms. Dao confided.
This frankness reflects the common mindset of many parents today. In a society that values academic qualifications, grades are often seen as a guarantee of future success, making it difficult for parents to remain calm, even when they realize their children are under immense pressure.
This pressure is clearly evident in the classroom. Many students are afraid to speak up or express their personal opinions, even in lessons that require discussion and debate. They are afraid of saying something wrong, afraid of being criticized, and afraid of affecting their grades. As a result, the classroom sometimes becomes silent, lacking the necessary interaction and critical thinking.
Nguyen Dang VA, a 9th-grade student, shared that what tired her the most wasn't the difficulty of the assignments, but the fear of making mistakes.
“I’m very afraid of making mistakes, especially in core subjects like Math. Besides school, I also take extra Math classes with two different teachers. The schedule is packed, and sometimes I just study to catch up on the assignments, not daring to ask questions for fear of being judged as weak,” VA said.
According to VA, there were days when she studied continuously from morning until night, with almost no time to rest. "I was afraid that if I didn't study more, I wouldn't be able to keep up, and if I didn't, my grades would be low. Low grades would make my parents sad, and I would worry about it too," she shared.
VA's story is not an isolated case, but rather reflects the reality for many middle and high school students today. Many students are living in a packed schedule, believing that simply adding one more tutoring class or one more teacher will improve their grades.
No one denies the role of grades in evaluating academic performance. However, when grades become a source of pressure, education needs to be re-evaluated. Learning is only truly meaningful when students understand the material, not just when they get the answers right.
According to Dr. Pham Di, a sociologist, reducing pressure to achieve high grades does not mean compromising on quality, but rather restoring the original meaning of learning.
"Learning is about personal growth, not just getting high grades. When students are allowed to make mistakes, ask questions, and express their thoughts, learning becomes a process of genuine understanding, authentic learning, and sustainable competency development," he stated.
In a rapidly changing society, knowledge is measured not only by tests or grades, but also by each individual's ability to think, create, and adapt. This requires education to not only impart knowledge, but also to foster a healthy learning mindset where students are not obsessed with achievement, but are encouraged to explore and improve themselves.
According to Mr. Đi, grades are still necessary but not the sole goal. Achievements are still important, but they shouldn't be prioritized over children's mental health and holistic development. When learning regains its true value, students will no longer fear making mistakes more than they fear being ignorant, but will dare to learn, dare to ask questions, and dare to grow based on their own thoughts, perceptions, and character.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/hoc-duoi-ap-luc-diem-so-3320110.html
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