A recent study has revealed that starting academic grading too early in schools can negatively affect children’s mental health — especially girls.
Published on a medical website, the study from Sweden used data from over 500,000 students to examine how early grading (from A to F) impacts mental well-being.
Before 2012, Swedish students were graded starting in 8th grade (around age 14). After education reforms, grading began in 6th grade (age 12). Experts studied students from 2006 to 2021 and found that this change affected students’ mental health, particularly girls with lower academic performance. They showed higher rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-confidence.
Boys were less affected, though a small rise in alcohol use and stress-related habits was seen.
Experts said that while grading itself isn’t harmful, starting it too early puts unnecessary pressure on young children. They urged parents, teachers, and policymakers to balance academic performance with mental health support.
The study also suggested starting grading at an appropriate age, training teachers to recognize signs of stress, and making mental health a key part of education policy.
