Pakistani singer and social activist Shehzad Roy has released a new song on the occasion of World Education Day, focusing on the country’s education system and the growing pressures faced by children.
The song encourages reflection on whether the current educational environment genuinely supports children’s mental growth or quietly burdens them with excessive expectations.
Titled 'Late Ho Gaye' the song was created in collaboration with students from schools run by Roy’s organization, Zindagi Trust. The music video opens with a striking yet relatable scene, where he questions parents about enrolling their unborn children in school. As the parents appear puzzled, Roy appears on screen in a lighthearted tone, saying, “Late Ho Gaye,” immediately conveying the central message of the video.
Through a mix of satire and storytelling, the song highlights the pressures children face even before starting school. It addresses the demanding admission tests and deadlines at costly private schools, where parents are often forced to present very young children for interviews.
A young girl’s plea reflects the simple desire of children to be allowed some time to just be kids before the weight of expectations overwhelms them.
The narrative also touches on language challenges, showing children speaking different languages at home while trying to adapt to English-dominated school environments. Roy presents this contrast as a source of emotional strain, with reprimands heard in multiple languages but understood only partially.
The video criticizes the relentless tuition culture that traps children in constant academic pressure rather than giving them time for rest and curiosity. Students are shown heading straight to evening supplementary classes after school, visibly exhausted.
Another scene highlights distracted parents, where screens replace conversation and children are pacified rather than understood.
The video concludes with Roy’s clear message: families should view education as a process of growth and learning, not as a competitive race.
