Let Children Breathe: The Lost Joys of Learning and Living…
By Prof. S.S. Dogra
In a nation obsessed with mark sheets and competitive exams, an alarming crisis is brewing within our education system — the slow death of holistic development. As schools shrink the space for physical, creative, sports and practical activities, we risk raising a generation academically trained but physically weak, emotionally fragile, and creatively stunted.
Once integral to schooling, sports, dance, music, art, and life-skills-based learning are now sidelined as “extra.” But these are not extras — they are essential.
The Fallout of Ignoring the Body and Spirit
Physical education periods are vanishing, sports days have become ceremonial — if they happen at all — and traditional Indian games like Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, and Gilli-Danda are fading from memory. Modern sports like athletics and volleyball face neglect due to poor infrastructure and lack of coaching.
As a result, schools are producing children who can memorize equations but struggle with posture, stamina, and stress. Pediatricians now report rising cases of obesity, vitamin deficiencies, and anxiety in school-going children. We are witnessing the consequences of denying young bodies sunlight, movement, and outdoor play.
Dance, too, is a neglected treasure. Acharya Dr. Tripti Kalra, Founder of Nishchintam Dance Academy, reminds us that “Dance builds confidence, discipline, creativity, and emotional strength. It’s not just art—it’s life education.” Integrating dance in schools can improve mental health, cultural awareness, and holistic learning. Yet, it’s often dismissed as non-academic.
The Power of Sports: More Than Just Play
Dr. Kiran Bedi, former IPS officer and international tennis player, says it best: “I became an IPS officer because of sports. It gave me confidence, discipline, and teamwork.” Her powerful testimony should compel parents and educators to treat sports as essential, not optional.
She also points to a deeper problem — a lack of respect and recognition for Indian athletes. “We don’t honor our sports legends like Wimbledon does,” she notes, criticizing sports federations for internal politics instead of outreach. Without role models, how will children dream?
Karate Coach Sunil Yadav adds urgency by comparing two troubling trends — the disappearance of sports and the rising access to harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. This vacuum of purpose, discipline, and engagement makes youth vulnerable to destructive behavior. Martial arts, he says, offer focus, fitness, and self-worth — much needed in today’s distracted world.
Reclaiming Education: A Shared Responsibility
The responsibility to fix this doesn’t lie with schools alone. It’s a collective mission.
• Parents must celebrate creative and physical growth as much as academic scores. Encourage hobbies, support sports, and value artistic expression.
• Schools must reinstate daily physical education, promote inter-house and cultural events, and nurture talent with the same rigor as academics.
• Policymakers must allocate sufficient budgets for arts, sports, and life-skills education. Holistic learning must not be a policy slogan — it must be a reality in every classroom.
A New Vision for Schools
Imagine a school where mornings begin with yoga or PT, where afternoons include music, painting, or dance, and every month brings a cultural festival or sports match. Such environments not only foster healthier, happier children — they build confident, empathetic, and adaptable citizens.
The Time to Act Is Now
This is not just a call — it’s a warning. If we continue to educate only the mind and ignore the body and soul, we risk raising a lopsided generation — brilliant on paper, but brittle in life.
Let us bring back movement to our playgrounds, rhythm to our classrooms, and joy to our learning. Only then can we say we are truly educating — not just training — our children.
- (Author S.S.Dogra is a Senior Journalist & Media Educator)
