Written by: Maria R. Jaya, Fransiskus E. Putra, Helmivera N. Idung, and Floresita A. Suhari
MANGGARAI, PENA1NTT.COM – Imagine being judged not by who you are, but by a single number on a report card that could shape your entire future.
In today’s highly competitive education systems, this is not an exaggeration—it is the daily reality for millions of students.
Academic achievement has become the primary measure of success, where grades, rankings, and test scores often determine a student’s sense of self-worth.
While striving for excellence is important, the growing pressure to achieve has created a hidden crisis that affects students’ mental health and overall well-being.
In many countries, including Indonesia, education has become increasingly exam-oriented.
Students often spend long hours at school and in tutoring centers, especially when preparing for high-stakes examinations, such as the UTBK-SNBT for university admission.
According to various educational and mental health reports, many students experience academic stress, with symptoms such as anxiety, sleep deprivation, and emotional exhaustion becoming increasingly common among teenagers.
A clear example can be seen during the university entrance preparation period in Indonesia. Many high school students attend extra classes from morning until evening and continue studying at home late into the night.
Some even sacrifice rest and family time in order to improve their examination results. In cases reported by educators, students experience intense pressure because they believe that a single test result will determine the course of their entire lives.
This creates the mindset that failure is catastrophic, rather than a natural part of the learning process.
Social media further intensifies this pressure. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are filled with posts celebrating perfect grades, scholarships, and admissions to prestigious universities.
While these achievements deserve recognition, they often foster a culture of comparison among peers. Students who do not achieve similar results may feel left behind, inadequate, or “not smart enough,” even though they may excel in other areas, such as creativity, leadership, or sports.
In the Indonesian context, the issue becomes even more complex. The education system still places significant emphasis on academic rankings and standardized examinations.
Many schools and parents associate high grades with future success, often overlooking students’ emotional needs and personal development.
However, Indonesia has also shown increasing awareness of this issue, with more schools introducing counseling services and adopting the Merdeka Belajar approach, which promotes more flexible and student-centered learning.
Although academic achievement is important, we must recognize that intelligence cannot be measured solely through test scores. Students possess diverse talents and potential that are not always reflected in written examinations.
Some excel in various areas: critical thinking, arts, entrepreneurship, communication, or real-world problem-solving. A healthy education system should nurture all of these abilities, rather than focusing exclusively on academic performance.
In conclusion, while competitive education systems can motivate students to work harder, excessive academic pressure can gradually damage their mental and emotional well-being.
True education should not only produce high-achieving students but also develop individuals who are balanced, confident, creative, and mentally healthy.
Success should not be measured solely by examination scores, but by a person’s ability to grow, adapt, and make meaningful contributions to society.
