Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Abbreviations in classrooms raise concerns among educators
Teachers and parents are worried because kids are using too many short forms like 'idk' and 'fr' in their writing.
These short forms are easy to use in messages and on social media, but they make it hard for students to write proper sentences.
Teachers say students don't care about spelling and grammar anymore.
Schools are trying to stop this by reminding students before exams and even punishing them if they use these short forms in their answer scripts.
Some teachers think this is making the language weaker and blurring the line between formal and informal writing.
Students are increasingly using abbreviations in both casual and official settings, raising concerns among educators.
Teachers note a reluctance among students to write full, grammatically correct sentences, preferring short forms instead.
Common abbreviations include 'idk' (I don’t know), 'fr' (for real), and 'ttsm' (thank you so much).
Schools are implementing measures such as reminders before exams and penalties for using abbreviations in answer scripts.
Educators express concern over the deterioration of English writing skills and the blurring of formal and informal language.
- Who
- Students from Classes I to XII, parents, and teachers
- What
- Increasing use of abbreviations in both casual and official settings
- When
- Present, with concerns raised by educators
- Where
- Schools in India, particularly Calcutta International School, Birla High School Mukundapur, and St Augustine’s Day School Shyamnagar
- Why
- The prevalence of abbreviations in messaging and social media, leading to difficulties in writing full, grammatically correct sentences
- Common Abbreviations
- idk (I don’t know), fr (for real), ttsm (thank you so much), ttyl (talk to you later), ik (I know), brb (be right back)
- Affected Age Groups
- Students from Classes I to XII
- Impact on Writing
- Reluctance to write full sentences, lack of regard for grammar rules
- Schools' Response
- Penalties for using abbreviations in answer scripts, reminders before exams
- Educators' Concerns
- Deterioration in English writing, blurring of formal and informal language