Beyond Grades: Why Schools Must Prioritize Confidence and Self-Expression

I have watched it happen over and over again as bright, intelligent children excelling in exams yet struggling to introduce themselves in a room full of people. Their report cards may boast top scores, but when asked to express a simple idea, they shrink into silence.

Schools proudly display their students’ academic achievements, celebrating high test scores and university placements, but rarely do they talk about how many students they have shaped into confident, articulate individuals. Why? Because confidence and self-expression are often treated as secondary skills, optional extras that do not “fit” into the rigid academic structure.

And yet, when these same children step into the real world, the ability to communicate confidently often determines who gets the job, who leads the team, and who earns the promotion. The world rewards those who can express themselves well, not just those who know the answers.

The Silent Crisis in Schools

One day, I was invited to speak at a school about public speaking and confidence-building. As I walked into the assembly hall, I noticed how the students sat—quiet, unsure, avoiding eye contact. I asked for a volunteer to come up and introduce themselves. Silence. Dozens of bright young minds, yet not a single hand went up.

Finally, after much encouragement, one student hesitantly stepped forward. She fidgeted, looked down, and barely whispered her name. When I asked what she loved most about school, she mumbled something inaudible and hurried back to her seat.

After the session, a teacher pulled me aside and said, “This is what we deal with every day. These children are brilliant, but they have no confidence in expressing themselves.”

This was not the first time I had encountered this. I have seen this time and again in school a go to present or train, I have seen students who could solve complex equations but couldn’t express a simple opinion in front of their classmates. Schools were prioritizing grades but neglecting self-expression but believe me, destiny results are always devastating.

What happens when these children grow up? Many become highly educated professionals who struggle with interviews, presentations, and leadership roles. They enter the workforce technically skilled but unable to voice their ideas.

“In school, they taught us everything except how to speak with confidence.” My research.

This is the reality of our education system. We are producing students who can pass exams but cannot pass the test of real-life communication.

The Price of Neglecting Confidence-Building

Neglecting confidence-building in children leads to missed opportunities, low self-esteem, career limitations, and a lasting fear of public speaking. Without the ability to express themselves, children may struggle with leadership roles, job interviews, and professional growth later in life. Schools that focus only on grades but ignore communication skills set students up for future struggles. To understand the full impact of this issue, read my previous post: “The Hidden Dangers of Low Confidence in Children.”

What Schools Must Do Differently

It’s time for schools to wake up and realize that education is not just about passing exams, it’s about preparing children for life. Every school should integrate confidence-building activities into their curriculum, just as they do with math, science, and literature.

• Public Speaking Clubs – Schools must provide platforms where children can practice speaking in a safe environment. They should learn to introduce themselves, tell stories, argue points confidently, and present ideas with clarity.
• Debates & Discussions – Children should be encouraged to defend their ideas, listen to others, and think critically. This prepares them to engage in intellectual conversations in the future, whether in university, business, or leadership.
• Drama & Storytelling – Expression through performance teaches body language, vocal control, and creativity—essential tools for confidence. Schools should allow students to explore these areas beyond just the traditional drama festivals.
• Encouraging Opinions in the Classroom – Instead of merely marking answers as right or wrong, teachers should ask students to explain their reasoning. This fosters critical thinking and self-assurance.
• Presentations and Oral Examinations – If students had graded oral presentations just as they do written exams, they would learn that speaking is just as valuable as writing. Teachers should create opportunities for students to practice speaking under formal conditions.

A Message to Parents: Choose Schools That Build Confidence

Parents, I urge you—when choosing a school for your child, look beyond grades. Ask yourself:

🔹 Does this school have public speaking training?
🔹 Do they provide platforms for self-expression?
🔹 Are they nurturing leadership, or just producing exam machines?

A school that only focuses on grades is setting your child up for a silent future. The real world does not reward memorization, it rewards confidence, communication, and courage.

Think about it: when was the last time someone asked you what grade you got in high school? Probably never. But how many times have you needed to speak up for yourself, pitch an idea, defend a decision, or introduce yourself in an important setting?

Now imagine your child in the same position, but unable to say a word.

The Change Starts Now

I left my formal teaching job because I realized that too many children and adults were growing up voiceless in a world that demands speakers. Today, I dedicate my life to helping children, youth, and adults, find their voices. But the solution starts in schools. It starts with teachers who recognize that an educated child is not just one who scores well, but one who can stand, speak, and lead.

Schools must stop treating confidence-building as a luxury and start treating it as a necessity.

Let’s build a generation that doesn’t just know the answers, but can confidently say them out loud.

Contact me if you need to boost your confidence and overcome your fear in public

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