Published: 12:02 AM, 31 October 2026
Students Must Not Become Desperate for High Grade Points Only
In Bangladesh, education is often regarded as the key to success, social dignity and a better future. However, an unhealthy tendency has developed among students to run after high Grade Point Averages (GPAs) rather than acquire genuine knowledge and practical skills. This growing obsession with grade points has become a serious concern for parents, teachers, educational institutions and policymakers. Students must be guided away from this narrow approach to education.
Undoubtedly, good results are important in academic life. They help students gain admission to reputed universities, obtain scholarships and compete for future employment. Nevertheless, high grades alone cannot guarantee success in life. Education should develop critical thinking, creativity, honesty, communication skills and moral values. Unfortunately, many students in Bangladesh consider GPA-5 the ultimate goal of their educational journey.
One of the major reasons behind this problem is the excessive pressure imposed by parents and society. Many parents expect their children to secure the highest marks, often comparing them with relatives, neighbours and classmates. Teachers and coaching centres may also contribute to this pressure by placing too much emphasis on examination results. Consequently, students often become anxious, frustrated and mentally exhausted. Some even lose confidence when they fail to achieve their desired grades.
Moreover, the excessive dependence on private tutors, coaching centres and guidebooks sometimes encourages memorization instead of meaningful learning. Students may learn how to reproduce answers in examinations without understanding the underlying concepts. As a result, they may perform well in examinations but struggle to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Such a system cannot produce the skilled, innovative and responsible citizens that Bangladesh needs for sustainable development.
To address this issue, parents must understand that every child has different abilities, interests and learning capacities. They should encourage effort, curiosity and personal improvement instead of judging children solely by their results. Teachers should adopt student-friendly teaching methods and assess learners through creativity, practical activities and problem-solving. Educational institutions must create a supportive environment where students can ask questions, express ideas and learn from mistakes.
Furthermore, the government should strengthen educational reforms that promote competency-based learning, vocational education and extracurricular activities. Career counselling and mental health support should also be made accessible to students. The media can play an important role in raising awareness about the limitations of a grade-centered mindset.
