The first panel at the 16th Annual Convention, moderated by Urwa Naeem, gave young students the platform they deserved, allowing student voices to shape the discussion on education reform. Participants spoke candidly about their daily experiences inside schools and how current practices affect their learning and future opportunities.
Students described being judged for low grades and how that stigma can close doors to scholarships, extracurriculars and guidance. Many said that the fear of teachers, punishment or ridicule in front of classmates prevents them from asking questions or participating in class, undermining confidence and curiosity. These accounts highlighted how assessment culture and disciplinary approaches matter to students across Pakistan.
Panelists also pointed to systemic problems such as limited resources, lack of counseling and rigid curricula that make school feel like a burden rather than a place for growth. The prominence of marks over learning, they argued, sidelines many capable learners and reduces education to a narrow checklist rather than a formative process.
Amid the critiques, student voices expressed clear hope for change. They called for kinder classrooms where teachers motivate instead of intimidate, environments where learning is not defined solely by marks, and systems that support every student regardless of background or ability. Emphasis on mentorship, inclusive teaching methods and accessible resources featured repeatedly in their appeals.
The message that emerged was simple and urgent: to transform education in Pakistan we must listen to those who live it every day. Elevating student voices in policy discussions and classroom practice, the panel argued, is the first step toward classrooms that nurture potential, dignity and lifelong learning.
