As a new school term approaches, parents, teachers, and school leaders are busy preparing books, uniforms, and timetables. These things matter. But there is another lesson that deserves equal attention. It does not appear on the syllabus, yet it shapes how children learn, grow, and see the world. That lesson is kindness.
Before schools reopen, every parent should take a few quiet minutes with their child. Talk about respect. Talk about empathy. Remind them that there is never a good reason to laugh at someone because of their height, weight, skin tone, background, or the things they enjoy. These small conversations at home can prevent deep wounds at school.
Classrooms today bring together children from very different lives. Some arrive with new shoes and full lunch boxes. Others wear the same shoes every day and carry bags that have seen many years. But a worn backpack carries the same dreams as a new one. A child who repeats clothes is not poor in ambition or intelligence. When students learn this early, schools become places of safety, not fear.
Bullying often begins with silence. It grows when children think teasing is normal or that being different is a weakness. It is not. Difference is part of learning. Schools exist to help young people discover who they are and what they can become. They are not arenas for competition over looks, money, or popularity.
Parents must also remind children that not every classmate goes home to love and comfort. For some, school is the safest place they know. A harsh word, a joke, or exclusion can be the final weight on a heavy heart. Kindness may seem small to the giver, but to the receiver, it can mean everything.
Teachers and school administrators have a role too. Discipline should not only punish bad behavior but guide better choices. Schools should speak openly about bullying and inclusion, not only when a crisis happens, but as part of daily learning. When kindness is modeled by adults, children follow.
As the term begins, success should not be measured only by grades and exam results. It should also be seen in how students treat one another. A good school is not just one that produces top scorers, but one that shapes decent human beings.
As we send children back to class, let us pack more than pens and books. Let us send them with lessons of empathy, respect, and care. If they learn these well, the future will be brighter for everyone.
