The ‘Murder’ of Potential: A Wake-Up Call for Educators
Javaid Jawad
On April 7, 2026, I stood before the students and staff of PM Shri Government Secondary School, Laharwalpora, with a heavy heart and a clear mission. We often talk about the success of our education system, but we rarely discuss how we—often unintentionally—”kill” the very children we are meant to nurture. We do not take their lives, but we frequently destroy their potential, their creativity, and their imagination.
The Death of Curiosity
Every child enters this world with a natural spark of curiosity. They want to test the world, to touch, and to learn—sometimes even risking a burnt finger to understand fire. Yet, when they enter the classroom, this spark is often extinguished.
We scold them for asking “too many” questions or yell when they challenge the status quo. A teacher’s true role is not to suppress these inquiries but to be the oxygen that turns that spark into a flame of lifelong learning.
The Trap of Rote Learning
We are currently caught in the grip of “gotafication”—rote learning and cramming. I recently heard of a 9th-grade Social Science class where, out of 30 students, only two could even pronounce the word “Democracy.”
After nine years of schooling, if a child cannot read the title of their lesson, we must ask ourselves: is this not a murder of their potential? Our job is to awaken hidden talents, not merely to “complete the syllabus” at the expense of understanding.
The Poison of Comparison
In our homes and classrooms, we often pit children against one another. This is a grave mistake. Comparison breeds animosity and creates deep-seated inferiority complexes. We must recognize that every child is uniquely blessed with their own set of abilities. Success is not a race against a classmate; it is the realization of one’s own God-given gifts.
Crushing Creativity and Mocking Mistakes
Today’s generation possesses a higher IQ and more potential than any before them. Yet, we stifle them by forcing them to blindly follow old methods and memorize notes from a blackboard.
When they make a mistake—as all humans do—we often respond with mockery and sarcasm. These “arrows of sarcasm” kill a child’s spirit from the inside. We must replace harsh, disproportionate punishment with gentle guidance on the consequences of their actions.
The Atmosphere of Fear
I have heard heart-breaking stories of students in places like Srinagar dropping out of school entirely, not because they couldn’t learn, but because they were terrified of their teachers. A school should be a sanctuary of joy and love, not a house of fear.
As educators, we must also be sensitive to a child’s life outside the classroom. Often, a lack of interest in school is rooted in a struggle at home that requires our empathy, not our criticism.
The Importance of Preparation
Teaching is a sacred duty that requires constant self-improvement. A teacher who enters a classroom unprepared is doing a disservice to their students. Some run out of material in ten minutes, while others possess such a depth of knowledge that an hour is not enough. To be the “future” of this nation, we must be scholars ourselves.
Our Massive Responsibility
In our government schools, we are often teaching first-generation learners. Their parents may not fully grasp the complexities of modern education, which places the entire weight of the child’s future on our shoulders. If we fail them, we fail society.
Acknowledging our flaws is what elevates us. Like the story of Prophet Adam, admitting a mistake is the path to growth, while stubbornness leads to ruin. I am grateful to those who point out my flaws, and I pray that we all find the strength to brighten the futures of the students entrusted to us.
Let us stop “murdering” potential and start nurturing it.
(The author is the best teacher awardee)
