The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Modern Education

posted on Mar 12, 2025

Gurukul The School, recognised as the best school in Ghaziabad, India, believe that the changing times have made it essential to prioritise emotional intelligence as much as intellectual intelligence for kids to thrive and grow holistically.

Our environment is changing drastically faster than we can comprehend, and much of it is going unnoticed. For example, while people acknowledge that AI is changing how people work, they do not notice how modern education is undergoing a much-needed transformation. Previously, everyone from parents to students to teachers gave importance to only intellectual and academic growth. While these are still relevant and crucial to children’s growth, they aren’t enough.

In this regard, we at Gurukul The School, recognised as the best school in Ghaziabad, India, believe that the changing times have made it essential to prioritise emotional intelligence as much as intellectual intelligence for kids to thrive and grow holistically. We believe it’s important for children to be able to handle the challenges they encounter in their day-to-day life, and for that, it is crucial that they are emotionally intelligent. That’s because emotional intelligence includes multiple interconnected skills, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, communication, etc., and it facilitates kids’ holistic growth with minimal challenges.

If you’re still wondering whether emotional intelligence is non-negotiable or optional for today’s children, the following points will clear all your doubts. So, let’s read on.

• Strengthens Communication and Social Skills

Contrary to the age-old belief, classrooms in modern schools are no longer static learning environments where students only receive information by listening to their teachers. It’s a highly social and dynamic environment that demands active participation from both students and teachers. If students want maximum benefits from attending classes, they must interact, share ideas/opinions, and work together with their classmates and teachers. All this requires strong communication skills.

We at Gurukul The School have seen that when children work on their emotional intelligence, they also strengthen their communication and social skills in the process, which helps them express their thoughts clearly, listen attentively, and respond respectfully. It collectively enables children to become masterful communicators and collaborators, helping them succeed within classrooms and beyond. Hence, we would like to recommend that parents, whenever they have time, try to engage in open, meaningful discussions about emotions with their kids. This will help them understand the real importance of emotions, and it will nudge them to start exploring ways to cultivate them.

• Improved Decision-Making in Academics and Beyond

Children are almost always in a decision-making mode—be it about making decisions around study schedules or handling conflicts with friends. This makes it necessary for them to learn to make appropriate decisions to handle situations wisely. Fortunately, emotional intelligence can help them with it.

Emotional intelligence enables children to assess situations logically rather than reacting impulsively. For instance, it can help them identify their anxiety before an important exam instead of panicking, letting them focus on preparation by using their problem-solving mindset.

Since emotional intelligence teaches children to pause before responding and analyse situations from different perspectives, they find it better equipped to make wiser choices. A bonus advantage of this approach is improved critical thinking. As children develop a habit of balancing emotions with rationality, they make decisions that are right for them and not influenced by peer pressure, frustration, or excitement.

• Simplifies Stress and Pressure Management

No denying academic stress owing to rising competition has become one of the key constants for children nowadays lives. If they don’t learn to handle it effectively, stress from exams, assignments, competition, etc., can become overwhelming for them to handle. It will eventually impact their focus, performance, and overall well-being.

We at Gurukul The School have seen that emotionally intelligent children are better equipped to handle this stress and pressure. They can recognise their stress triggers better and develop healthy ways to manage them. Since they’re also more adaptable, they can efficiently manage setbacks without feeling discouraged.

Hence, we would like to advise all children to work on improving their emotional intelligence. This can be done in various ways, such as by practising regular deep breathing practices, maintaining a positive mindset, setting realistic study goals, etc.

• Unshakable Resilience and Adaptability

Modern education focuses on holistic growth and development. This, however, also means that children need to put effort into multiple directions. This is where emotional intelligence can come to their rescue by preparing them for even the toughest and most uncertain academic challenges thrown their way.

When children become emotionally intelligent, they begin to focus on analysing what went wrong to make appropriate course corrections for improved future outcomes. Since emotional intelligence teaches children to move forward with a growth mindset instead of getting attached to any academic failure for an extended period, it gradually builds unshakable resilience and adaptability in them.

We at Gurukul The School deeply value this aspect as it prepares them for today’s fast-evolving world wherein careers and technologies are rapidly shifting. We firmly believe that developing the ability to adapt emotionally to any situation is just as crucial as acquiring any skill, so every individual (especially children) must prioritise it.

Conclusion

Emotional intelligence isn’t just another soft skill but a crucial life skill that can dramatically impact the success and well-being of our children. Hence, while academic excellence still remains essential, it shouldn’t be prioritised over developing the ability to identify, acknowledge, and manage emotions. Ideally, children should be taught to balance both to maximise their success potential.

It’s one of the key reasons why we at Gurukul The School, regarded as the best school in Ghaziabad, India, make constant efforts to nurture the skill of emotional intelligence in each of our pupils. At our school, we follow a unique pedagogy designed to foster both intellectual and emotional intelligence in our students. This helps them thrive in all aspects of their life and even during their most challenging life phases.