The Disappearing Art of Cursive Writing in Bengaluru
In an alarming trend for traditional education, cursive handwriting is rapidly losing popularity across Bengaluru's schools. A recent investigation by Metrolife has uncovered that this fundamental skill is being phased out in favor of digital alternatives, raising concerns among education experts.
The study, conducted on November 27, 2025, involved conversations with seven established handwriting centers throughout the city. These specialized institutions unanimously expressed deep concern about the declining emphasis on cursive writing in modern curricula.
Why Cursive Writing Matters for Child Development
According to handwriting specialists, cursive writing plays a crucial role in young children's cognitive and physical development. Shraddha AK, among the experts consulted, emphasized that this traditional form of writing offers benefits that digital typing cannot replicate.
Hand-eye coordination improves significantly when children practice cursive writing, the experts revealed. The continuous, flowing movements required to form cursive letters help develop fine motor skills and neural connections that are essential for overall brain development.
Perhaps more importantly, research indicates that children tend to memorize information better when they write it down manually compared to typing on digital devices. The physical act of forming letters and words creates stronger memory pathways in the brain, leading to improved learning outcomes and information retention.
The Consequences of Digital Dominance
As tablets, laptops, and smartphones become increasingly prevalent in classrooms, the art of handwriting is facing unprecedented challenges. The handwriting centers reported noticing a steady decline in cursive writing proficiency among students over recent years.
This shift away from traditional writing methods could have long-term implications for how children process and retain information. While digital skills are undoubtedly important in today's technology-driven world, completely abandoning cursive writing might mean losing valuable cognitive development tools.
Educational experts suggest that a balanced approach incorporating both digital literacy and traditional handwriting skills would serve children best. They recommend that schools reconsider their curriculum choices to include adequate handwriting instruction alongside technological education.
The handwriting centers in Bengaluru continue to advocate for the preservation of cursive writing, offering specialized programs to help children develop this increasingly rare but valuable skill.
