BY: Sabahat Ali

Every year, many private schools face the same quiet challenge: some students fail repeatedly, while others “pass” but still struggle with basic reading, writing, or problem-solving. Parents complain, teachers feel frustrated, and school leadership often feels embarrassed.

The common solution, extra classes before exams, last-minute revisions, or crash courses, is not a real solution. It is emergency firefighting. If students only get support weeks before exams, the problem isn’t solved; it’s postponed.

Why Students Struggle

Most struggling students are not weak, they are often under-taught, under-supported, or poorly assessed. Labeling children as weak only after exams is reactive, not proactive.

 Mistakes Schools Make Shaming students: Public comparisons and harsh remarks destroy confidence.

Overloading without guidance: Extra worksheets or homework without support overwhelm students.

One-size-fits-all remediation: Each student struggles for different reasons—conceptual gaps, language barriers, slow writing, or attention issues.

Leaving parents in the dark: Vague advice like “practice at home” shifts responsibility without guidance.

A Better Approach

Early Identification: Conduct short diagnostic tests in the first few weeks to identify students who need support. Categorize them as on track, needs monitoring, or needs structured help.

Weekly Targeted Support: Dedicate remedial sessions to reinforce basics with simple explanations, visuals, and hands-on methods.

Set Micro-Goals: Break learning into small, achievable tasks, such as reading sentences independently or solving basic sums. Small wins boost confidence and motivation.

Track Progress: Maintain a simple weekly record of each student’s goals and progress, reviewed by coordinators or teachers regularly.

Engage Parents: Provide clear, actionable instructions for practice at home.

Role of Leadership

School leaders must formalize weak student support, protect remedial periods, train teachers in differentiated instruction, and celebrate incremental progress. This changes the mindset from “weak students are a problem” to “weak students are a responsibility we care about.”

The Outcome

A consistent support system reduces repeat failures, strengthens fundamentals, builds confidence, and earns trust from parents and pride from teachers. Struggling students, when properly supported, become proof of a school’s commitment to real education.

Final Thought

Waiting until exams to address learning gaps protects reputation, not learning. Identify early, support weekly, track progress, involve parents, and celebrate growth. This is how schools turn struggling students into success stories.