Parents put emotional safety before marks

Published in Lucknow Times · Sunday, March 1, 2026

At Modern School, Aliganj, Lucknow, a survey of 546 parents reveals a clear shift: 70.3% prioritize their child’s emotional safety, respect, and being heard over academics, with just 9% favoring academic excellence. Principal Meena Kane said, “The contrast is emphatic. This validates our efforts to prioritize emotional safety.”

She added, “The survey report claimed that 59.5% of parents valued warm, respectful teacher–student relationships, 52.6% valued encouragement to think, question and express ideas, and 49.5% prioritized emotional safety and student wellbeing. Taken together, 78% selected at least one emotionally anchored attribute as central to quality education.”

On learning priorities, the findings further stated that 63% of parents ranked critical thinking and real-world problem-solving at the top, followed by emotional confidence and joy of learning at 59.9%, life skills and independence at 55.5%, and strong academic foundations at 48.5%. Highlighting responses across stages, according to Meena Kane, “The report noted that emotional-first preference stood at 64% among early years parents, 58% in Primary, 52% in Middle School, and 48% in Senior classes. A hybrid preference rises to 43% in Senior classes, while pure academic-first orientation remains under 10% across all stages.”

Summing up parental perception, the survey claimed that 67% of parents described a good school in terms of safety, respect or emotional comfort, 56% emphasised confidence or self-expression, 49% spoke of growth beyond academics, and 42% valued character and values. “When asked why they trust Modern School, 62% cited strong teacher–student relationships, while 48% observed visible positive change in their child — greater confidence, enthusiasm and improved behaviour,” she said.