The government has introduced a policy of not evaluating children up to grade 5 through written or structured tests, which is a very positive and child-friendly step. Because, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the overall development of children such as behavior, participation, creativity, social skills and the learning process.

In today's education system, marks and grades are given utmost importance. Most parents and schools measure the abilities and future of children only on the basis of test results. In addition, there is an increasing tendency for parents to compare their children with others, which can discourage children. Comparing children to others is likely to reduce their confidence, increase stress and reduce their interest in learning. This can overshadow the real potential of children.

Looking at current educational practices, there is an increasing tendency to teach children ahead of time. Trying to teach complex subjects at a young age can affect their mental and emotional development. This is making learning burdensome instead of easy and fun.

Similarly, there is increasing competition in the education sector. Comparing students to others, pressuring them to get high marks and expecting them to always be the best is increasing their stress and anxiety. In such a situation, the learning process is becoming stressful rather than enjoyable.

The current assessment system is mainly based on writing exams on large sheets of paper in a limited time. This process is like ‘collecting in the mind and putting it on paper’, which promotes the cramming system and weakens real understanding. In such a situation, many children become nervous, scared or mentally unstable during exams. Some students do not have the ability to express themselves despite having good knowledge. Therefore, such an examination system cannot be called an accurate assessment of children.

Unfortunately, the current education system has not been able to give enough space to life-useful learning and subjective thinking. Students need to learn not only the knowledge limited to textbooks, but also useful skills in life, decision-making skills, self-reflection and problem-solving skills. In such a context, some developed education systems in the world have also prioritized the learning process over exam-oriented assessment in the early grades. For example, in Singapore, formal examinations have been reduced for children up to grade 5, and practices focused on continuous assessment, classroom participation and skill development have been implemented. Therefore, child-friendly and holistic development-oriented assessment is universally accepted and effective.

Therefore, changes should be made in the teaching and assessment system now. Assessment should not be limited to marks alone, but formative assessment should be prioritized, which helps in improving the learning process. Similarly, continuous assessment can gradually understand the progress of students. In addition, alternative assessments such as project work, presentations, behavioral observations, portfolios, etc. can assess the real capabilities of students.

In particular, project-based learning provides students with opportunities to learn practically, solve problems and collaborate, while their practical skills can be developed through skill-based activities. Along with this, value-based education should be prioritized in education, which develops ethics, empathy, responsibility and discipline in children. The integration of technology makes learning interesting, interactive and contextual, and enhances children's curiosity and creativity through the use of digital tools, multimedia and online resources.

In addition, emphasis should be placed on developing communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and self-confidence, as these skills enable children to face future challenges. Ultimately, spiritual learning contributes significantly to overall personality development by helping them develop self-reflection, patience, and inner balance.

Every child is different. Expectations should not be exceeded. Some perform well in writing, while others may excel in creativity, public speaking, problem-solving, or leadership. Such abilities cannot be measured by grades alone. Even small achievements should be celebrated and encouraged. This builds confidence in children and inspires them to do better. Children's dreams, interests, and learning abilities are the main foundation for building their future.