In 1871, excavations at the Porta Salaria, an ancient gate in the Aurelian Walls of Rome, brought to light a monument, specifically a tombstone, of exceptional significance to those interested in the educational challenges of antiquity and, intriguingly, of the present times. The tombstone recounts the tale of Quintus Sulpicius Maximus, an eleven-year-old boy in 94 AD, who displayed remarkable talent in a poetry competition in ancient Rome by composing and delivering an extensive poem in Greek. His life alas was cut tragically short. The tombstone was erected by his parents and featured a statue of Quintus in a toga along with his poem meticulously carved into the stone, a clear testament of their pride in his brilliance. The eulogy, however, believed to have been delivered by the grieving parents, attributed his untimely demise to excessive toil.
The inscription reads as follows:
“Though but a lad of twelve short years was I,
I left this contest for the land of shades.
Disease and weariness reft me away,
For of the Muses dreamed I, morning, noon, and night…”
This has raised questions about whether Quintus was a prodigy who met an early end or pressurised by overbearing parents to excel. His story seems to mirror contemporary concerns about children being pushed from a tender age by ambitious parents to meet academic goals. In his article titled “The Boy Poet Sulpicius: A Tragedy of Roman Education,” which appeared in The School Review (Vol. 11, No. 5) in May 1903, educator J. Raleigh Nelson delved into the life of Quintus, providing insights into the enduring issue of the “helicopter parent” syndrome that drives children to the kind of “weariness” described in the eulogy at Porta Salaria.
Whether bolstered by parents, teachers, or society at large, the phenomenon has persisted over millennia. Greek poetry may have given way to NEET or JEE. But the impact is the same. And shockingly little has been done to address the problem. More alarmingly, every new educational invention or innovation, every technological advancement, and every development in educational theory seems only to exacerbate student stress. Tragically, some students succumb to the pressure, falling prey to suicide or stress-induced illnesses or mental breakdowns.
Look at India. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals that students accounted for 8 per cent (13,089) of the total suicides in the country in 2021, with “failure in examination” listed as one reason. This marks a staggering 70 per cent increase in student suicides over the past decade, rising from 7,696 in 2011. It is imperative that we pause to acknowledge this issue because it pertains to our future. It concerns justice for our children. Most importantly, it relates to the creation of a better world for future generations. Education is key to creating a better future India.
The latest edition of Frontline delves into India’s high-pressure education system, which has become perilous for students. If you are a parent, it is crucial that you read this and engage in introspection, seeking assistance if necessary. If you are a student or have recently been one, we hope it will help you realise that support is available and that there are people listening. It is incumbent upon us all to collaborate in building a more compassionate world of learning.
Please write back with your comments as always,
Team Frontline
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