In a social media post that has resonated widely, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Divya Mittal has sparked a conversation about the shortcomings of conventional education. Despite her impressive academic journey through IIT Delhi, IIM Bangalore, and the civil services examination, Mittal observed a critical disconnect between achieving academic excellence and being truly prepared for life's complexities.
Mittal reflected on the years spent mastering tough exams and managing significant responsibilities, contrasting this with a lack of instruction on inner peace or coping with loneliness. “We spend many years learning how to achieve, but not a single day learning how to be happy,” she wrote. Her post outlines nine crucial areas where she believes school education falls short, impacting individuals' ability to navigate adulthood effectively.
The Nine Missing Lessons from Traditional Education
1. Emotional Regulation
Mittal noted that schools often prioritize silence over genuine emotional expression, leaving students ill-equipped to manage their feelings. She highlighted the irony of memorizing complex scientific tables while remaining unversed in the 'chemistry of a broken heart.' This suppression, she argues, prevents individuals from processing their emotions, leading to feeling lost when confronted with personal struggles.
2. Deep Communication
While essay writing is a staple, Mittal suggests it doesn't prepare students for the nuanced, often difficult conversations of adult life. The ability to articulate personal pain or set boundaries by saying 'No' is rarely taught, leaving many unable to assert themselves against workplace bullying or protect their professional space.
3. Critical Thinking
Schools often reward those with the most answers, but Mittal contends that in life, those who ask the most questions thrive. This educational approach can lead adults to confidently repeat opinions without questioning their origins, fostering blind adherence rather than independent thought.
4. Financial Literacy
Despite years of mathematics, real-world financial management—like avoiding debt traps or understanding impulsive spending—remains largely untaught. Mittal emphasized that money management isn't just about calculations; it impacts dignity, stress, relationships, and mental peace, yet education often overlooks this vital life skill.
5. Self-Discipline
Traditional schooling is structured by external schedules and authority. However, adulthood demands internal motivation. Mittal points out that many adults struggle to push themselves without external oversight because they were never taught the habit of keeping promises to themselves, defining discipline as self-commitment.
6. Handling Loneliness
Schools, with their constant social environment, rarely prepare individuals for the solitude of adulthood. Mittal highlighted that without learning to be one's own best friend, peace can be elusive, and being alone is often confused with being lonely, rather than seen as a sacred space for self-reflection.
7. Reading People
The innocence of school friendships can give way to complex adult relationships where intentions are not always transparent. Mittal argued that education fails to teach the quiet wisdom of discerning hidden motives or seeing past superficial appearances, leaving individuals vulnerable to feeling cheated.
8. Mental Health Maintenance
While physical education is standard, Mittal lamented the absence of lessons for mental well-being. The emphasis on pushing through exhaustion often leads to burnout. She stressed the importance of honoring one's nervous system, recognizing stressors, and knowing when to seek help to prevent one's inner light from diminishing.
9. Knowing Yourself
Mittal's final point questions the pursuit of being the 'best' student, only to find oneself without a clear identity beyond achievements. She suggests that education often neglects the study of one's own soul, leaving individuals inadequate because they haven't discovered what truly matters to them before external pressures define their desires.
Mittal's viral post, initially shared on May 17, 2026, serves as a poignant reminder for educators and policymakers to consider a more holistic approach to learning, one that equips students not just for academic success but for a fulfilling and resilient life.