In times where grades and comparison with peers have become the benchmark for evaluating a child’s performance, it is important to see the effect it has on a student’s psyche. Savneet Chawla, principal, Millennium World School, talks to Shivani Bhakoo about the need to understand the individuality of every child’s learning methods.How much experience do you have in education and beyond?My journey spans education, architecture and entrepreneurship, giving me a strong real-world perspective on learning. With over four years in education, I have worked closely with children, teachers and parents, understanding classroom realities beyond theory. Alongside this, six years as an architect and entrepreneur trained me to think creatively and practically. This experience shaped my leadership and problem-solving approach. My background in design influences my educational philosophy: Education must solve issues just like good design does. Schools should not merely produce exam-toppers, but independent thinkers, innovators and confident individuals prepared to navigate life with clarity and courage.Has increasing competition made school life stressful?Absolutely, the current education system places excessive emphasis on comparison and rankings, making school life increasingly stressful. While healthy competition can motivate students, excessive academic pressure can damage confidence, curiosity and mental well-being. Every child learns differently and yet, we continue to measure them with the same yardstick. This outdated approach ignores individual strengths. When children feel emotionally safe and supported, learning becomes deeper, and more meaningful and effective. Fear should never be the foundation of education.What is the role of parents and teachers in a child’s growth?Parents and teachers are partners and not separate stakeholders. Teachers shape intellect, discipline, values and social awareness in school, and parents provide emotional grounding at home. When either works in isolation, the child suffers. Open communication, mutual respect and alignment of expectations are essential. Children flourish when adults around them function as a united support system.Why is education becoming more expensive?Quality education now demands more than basic classrooms. Infrastructure, technology, safety systems, teacher training and holistic programmes require investment. However, rising costs must never justify commercialisation. Schools must remain transparent and accountable, ensuring parents see how these investments support their child’s development. Education is a responsibility, not a business model.How can we shape a better future for students?The future demands thinkers, not crammers. We must move away from cramming and focus on creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, life skills and experiential learning. Education should prepare children for uncertainty, change and real-world challenges, and not just examinations.Is competition over grades healthy?An obsession with marks is one of the system’s biggest failures. Yes, grades matter, but they can’t define a child’s worth. Effort, growth, resilience and progress deserve equal recognition.
