The Motivation Crisis: Why Students Are Disengaging—and What Families Can Do Now
Across Ontario, a concerning trend is emerging: more students are showing up at school unmotivated to learn. We’re now seeing the long tail of pandemic learning disruptions intersect with an under-resourced education system — the perfect storm for disengagement.
This isn’t about effort or curiosity—it’s about the system itself. Large class sizes, rigid curricula, standardized testing pressures, and mounting administrative tasks create conditions where students struggle to engage. Behaviour challenges, gaps in learning, and low confidence are not individual failures—they are symptoms of a system stretched beyond its capacity. Even the most passionate teachers cannot compensate for these structural limits.
After more than a decade in the classroom, I’ve seen firsthand how these systemic pressures shape students’ confidence and motivation. Teachers report students giving up more quickly, avoiding challenges, or refusing independent tasks—not because they don’t care, but because they no longer feel capable.
The results speak for themselves. EQAO scores highlight the reality: too many students are leaving school without mastering foundational skills, and motivation—the spark for lifelong learning—is declining.
Families don’t need more worksheets—they need structured, relational learning experiences that rebuild both competence and confidence. So it’s no surprise that parents are increasingly turning to private tutoring to supplement the classroom. Personalized, consistent support can help students rediscover engagement, build confidence, and strengthen the skills the system cannot always provide.
At Kalvian Academy, we offer focused weekly sessions designed to do just that: support learning, spark curiosity, and create an environment where students can thrive academically and personally. While we cannot fix the system overnight, we can help students achieve their potential, one session at a time.
For parents who want more than worksheets and homework, targeted support is no longer optional — it’s essential.
