With the guidance of a certified counsellor, AI can offer timely interventions, providing personalised coping strategies and emotional support
The rise of AI has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives. Its ability to process vast amounts of data and extract relevant information has become a valuable asset for students. With just a few prompts, learners can generate complete essays with minimal effort. However, this convenience presents a challenge for educators, who now struggle to detect instances of AI-assisted academic dishonesty, turning the situation into a game of cat and mouse. As teachers focus on verifying the authenticity of students' submissions, critical thinking and innovation are being sidelined in the education system.
This article aims to challenge the current education model, which is overly reliant on grades and shaped by industry demands for high achievers rather than individuals with true potential. Such expectations from both academia and employers push students toward shortcuts, compromising genuine learning. Furthermore, students must navigate another hurdle — interim and final exams, which often devolve into a relentless competition.
These high-stakes assessments promote rote memorisation and short-term retention, adding unnecessary stress to the learning experience. Can education truly leave a lasting imprint on a learner’s mind? If so, how can we reshape the way students engage with learning? One approach is to rethink essay submissions. Educators could curate a set of books that students must borrow, encouraging them to cite the authors — not merely for academic accuracy but as a gesture of gratitude for their literary contributions. Each borrowed sentence should prompt a reflection from the learner, allowing them to articulate what resonated with them and how it inspired their own ideas. Through this reflective process, students can build a narrative that is uniquely their own.
Technology can still play a role — AI tools may assist in formatting citations efficiently, reducing time spent on technicalities while preserving intellectual effort. However, handwritten assignments should be prioritized over simple copy-paste submissions to foster deeper engagement. A teacher’s recommended approach for writing might look like this: select a book or set of books, highlight sentences that inspire thought, reflect on their significance, craft a personal response, and acknowledge the author through citations. Even a single-page write-up with this level of effort cultivates genuine appreciation for an author’s work.
This method of assessment allows educators to evaluate students based on essential academic skills research, citation, reflection, and articulation, while also encouraging the application of real-world observations. Shifting the focus from mere grading to meaningful learning could transform education into an experience that nurtures true intellectual growth.
To foster public speaking skills among students, encourage them to share what inspired them most and their personal insights on the given topic. Speaking in front of their peers allows them to build confidence while engaging in meaningful discussions. Their classmates can then contribute by expressing their own perspectives, collaboratively shaping new ideas on the subject.
Classroom debates may naturally lead to agreements or disagreements, but with careful moderation from the teacher, students can overcome their fear of speaking while cultivating mutual respect. Establishing clear expectations for what is allowed during discussions ensures an open yet structured exchange of thoughts, promoting a smooth and productive dialogue.
Instead of rigid grading systems, education could shift toward continuous evaluation, focusing on the attainment of individual goals and competencies. Schools should guide students toward achieving fundamental skills such as writing, creating, problem-solving, interpreting, and applying knowledge effectively.
Bloom’s Taxonomy serves as a relevant framework, reminding educators that every objective in a lesson plan should translate into real-world applications for students. By the end of each semester, assessments could go beyond mere grades and focus on practical abilities. For instance, can a student confidently draft an official letter, a leave request, an apology, or an internship application? Can they bring new ideas to life, whether physically or theoretically? When faced with real-world problems, do they have the ability to propose solutions?
Shifting from an exam-centric approach to one that evaluates real skills would cultivate independent thinking and genuine competence, ensuring education serves as a foundation for lifelong learning rather than a mere race for grades.
The pressure of exams can be alleviated by assessing students holistically, including their interactions with the world beyond the classroom. Instead of labelling outcomes as Pass or Fail, a more constructive approach would be to categorise them as “Attained” and “Yet to be Attained.” This shift reinforces the idea that learning is an ongoing process — nothing is truly lost, and there is always an opportunity for growth in the next task.
By removing the stigma of failure, students can experience education with reduced anxiety. Administrative processes can be automated, allowing classroom interactions to become more engaging and centered on individual development rather than solely on exam performance, which should be just a small part of the overall learning experience.
However, this doesn’t mean eliminating all forms of challenge — stress, when managed well, plays an essential role in helping students learn task management rather than relying on short-term memorisation. A natural fear of the unknown should exist, but it must be accompanied by the support of educators and peers, encouraging students to navigate challenges with confidence. Ultimately, the education system should foster an environment of positive reinforcement, mutual respect, and encouragement, ensuring that students grow both academically and personally.
AI-driven counselling can support stressed students by analysing their online behaviour to detect signs of distress. With the guidance of a certified counsellor, AI can offer timely interventions, providing personalised coping strategies and emotional support. This hybrid approach combines AI’s efficiency with human empathy, ensuring that students receive a balanced and well-monitored response.
By reducing stigma and increasing accessibility, technology-backed counselling can empower learners to manage stress proactively, fostering resilience and emotional well-being in today’s demanding academic environment.
