Suhail Khan
Sopore, Jan 14: Kamran Feroz, a Class 10 student from Sanctorum School in north Kashmir’s Sopore, has publicly challenged society’s fixation on academic results. After achieving a perfect score of 500 marks in the board exams, the results of which were declared on Wednesday, he labeled the pressure for high marks an “orthodox” mindset that obscures the true purpose of education.
In an interview with Kashmir Convener, the high-achieving student argued that while examination scores are often misconstrued as the sole indicator of success, authentic personal and professional development is rooted in acquired knowledge and critical thinking.
“Marks, in themselves, are not the objective. Yet, a prevalent orthodox mindset within our extended social circles compels students to pursue high scores primarily for external validation,” Feroz stated.
He expressed concern over an educational culture disproportionately skewed towards outcomes rather than learning. “A pervasive narrative channels students relentlessly towards marks. Rarely is the foundational importance of knowledge emphasized,” he observed.
Feroz said, “Our future cannot be secured or illuminated by marks alone. It is substantive knowledge that paves the way for a truly bright future.”
The student issued a clarion call to his peers and the community, advocating for a fundamental reorientation of priorities. “I urge every student, irrespective of their marks, to look beyond the scorecard. The crucial metric is the depth of understanding you gain. That is the true capital for future success,” he said.
Feroz also appealed to parents to consciously moderate the academic pressure on their children. “Parents have a pivotal role. They must refrain from imposing undue burdens on their children, particularly when the motivation is to appease or impress relatives,” he added.
He described the honor of achieving full marks and reflected on the pressures students face on result day. “Many lose their composure, which can lead to problems,” he said, urging parents not to compare their children with others.
A resident of Panzipora, Kamran Feroz generously attributed his own academic accomplishment to a strong support network. “I credit this achievement entirely to the unwavering support of my school and my family. I am indebted to the institution, my dedicated teachers, our Chairman, Shakir Sir, and my parents. Their guidance, cooperation, and encouragement have been indispensable throughout this journey,” he told Kashmir Convener.
Kamran plans to pursue the medical stream and hopes to secure admission to AIIMS Delhi. However, he stressed that marks alone do not determine a student’s future. “Students today focus too much on marks rather than knowledge, which affects the quality of education,” he said, highlighting the importance of acquiring practical skills alongside formal studies.
The results of the annual Class 10 examination recorded an overall pass percentage of 85.03 per cent. According to official data released by JKBOSE, a total of 94,845 students—47,736 boys and 47,109 girls—appeared for the examination. Of these, 80,650 candidates, including 40,242 boys and 40,408 girls, successfully passed.
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