Summer vacation is about to end. Children have no choice but to reset their biological clocks for an arduous schedule. The magnificent school buildings await them. There was a time when the word school meant far more than a building or a schedule. It was a space where the foundations of life were laid—by igniting minds, nurturing friendships, sowing values, and building character. From the gurukuls of ancient India to the corridors of Eton, education has been the silent architect of history. The Duke of Wellington once said, “The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.” He was referring to how education shaped the British to defeat Napoleon’s forces at Waterloo. Closer home, it was the virtues of our education system that helped Lord Ram and the Pandavas rise to their destinies and face adversity with unwavering resolve.

The thread that connects these legends and leaders across time is school education. But the present-day ecosystem of schooling in our country warrants critical scrutiny. Children are made to wake up at hours their bodies and minds are not ready for. School starts too early, leaving kids sleep-deprived, fatigued, and bleary-eyed. This is despite clear scientific evidence highlighting the need for proper rest during the growing years. The American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have drawn attention to this issue by publishing a position statement that schools should begin no earlier than 8:30 AM. In the US, many states like Florida and California have enacted such legislation. Unfortunately, in India, school timings are dictated more by district administration than by educational wisdom—especially during scorching summers or biting winters.

The transportation system further exacerbates the problem. The morning scene outside schools paints a picture of chaos and unsafe practices. Children and parents cling to the edges of two-wheelers without helmets, and cars speed by with unbelted passengers. There is little regard for fellow parents walking or driving other vehicles. Near-misses are the norm—celebrated with pride while dropping children to school. Parents engage in verbal spats, and the dismal story continues. Are children sacrificing their sleep only to witness this chaos and indiscipline? It is said that it takes only 21 days to form a habit. Yet children are subjected to unruly habits for years. Do we want to inculcate in them the habits of being rude, rule-breakers, and irresponsible citizens?

We are laying the foundation for a quiet epidemic, where tired children struggle with concentration, anxiety, and psychological distress—before the morning school bell even rings. Even before they open a book, children are burdened by heavy backpacks. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends that bags should not weigh more than 10% of a child’s body weight. Let us assume a Class 1 student weighs 20 kg—his or her bag should be no more than 2 kg! Ironically, many young souls carry school bags heavier than what their backs and bones can sustain. This sustained burden harms posture in the long run.

Worse still, the quality of learning inside classrooms is questionable. Activities and projects meant to foster creativity are often completed by parents or purchased from the market. This kills creativity, defeating the very purpose of activity-based learning. Furthermore, the emotional bridge between students and teachers has weakened. Once revered as second parents, teachers today are treated merely as service providers by many parents. The sacred bond has given way to contractual obligations. The result is an emotionally sterile environment.

The lunchbox once symbolized independence, bonding, and good health. In our times, they were filled with home-cooked nourishment, reflecting the culinary skills of mothers and the richness of Indian kitchens. Sadly, today’s lunchboxes are loaded with unhealthy processed and fast food throughout the week. No wonder obesity, low immunity, and chronic deficiencies of essential vitamins like D, B12, and C are on the rise—even in a sunlit country like ours.

In our school days, the game period was non-negotiable. We spent hours outdoors—playing, falling, getting up. But despite the NEP’s emphasis on regular physical activity, today’s children mostly remain seated in classrooms. It’s more convenient for schools to manage stillness than to nurture energy. We are raising children on school benches, when the world needs them to stand up strong. And here lies the greatest irony of all: the erosion of trust between parents and educators. Rather than being partners in shaping the child, there is now suspicion, control, and interference. Indian schools were once gateways to our global dominance. The institutions founded decades ago have not kept pace with time, yet boast legacy. The schools that once set educational benchmarks now risk falling behind. Teachers in private schools, despite their potential, are often underpaid and overworked—a sharp departure from the days when the best minds took responsibility for nurturing the young.

In earlier times, the community’s ablest members considered it their duty to raise children who would serve society and the nation. As the Japanese saying goes: It takes a village to raise a child. What we do collectively as a society will determine the fate of every child. Today, profit motives lead to overcrowded classrooms, faculty shortages, and a clear decline in quality. We forget that today’s students are tomorrow’s citizens—the future workforce, policymakers, leaders, and guardians of our collective values. If we compromise on their education, we compromise our nation’s future.

Many of us come from humble backgrounds, educated in government or modest private schools. We had a voice, a face, and freedom. It is now upon us to ensure that this generation does not lose its voice under the burden of systems, schedules, and soulless routines. Education is not just about academics. It is about shaping humans—with minds that question, hearts that care, and bodies that thrive. It is a sacred responsibility. Let us not raise children who are wide awake in a system that is fast asleep. Let us awaken—as parents, as educators, and as a nation. Before it’s too late.