Yesterday, we went to pick up Sid’s report card at school. He goes to 3rd Grade. It was a mundane affair, he got A+ in all. That was expected. His teacher even commented that we should not have come personally, and she could have emailed the report to us; the result being so predictable. Most kids score As and A+s these days and get grades instead of marks.
When I was in school, results used to be joyous occasions signified with anticipation, a healthy competition, where friends competed to stand first in class. It was exhilarating to be announced Ist in class with other parents looking enviously at you :). We also received books as gifts for topping in class or individual subjects. These days there is no such excitement. You just pick up the report card, as a duty. I don’t know whether it was pressure for us, because I enjoyed the whole marks routine. I don’t know whether my son might miss it because he studies so well and would have received much more adulation otherwise.
Is this a good thing? No detentions, no ranks, easing of syllabus — are we diluting our education system or strengthening it? Today, we can shield them from exam pressures, but what happens when they have to compete at 12th Standard levels? Will they be equipped to handle the pressure of Board Exams and of missing out on seats on the basis of 0.1 percentage point? Can we really safeguard our kids from all the pressures they WILL face later on in life?
Maybe, the school system is trying to ease the pressure for kids (which is not such a great thing, in my opinion); but look at the parents these days. They are extra crazy with their expectations of their kids. So, is there a real reduction of pressure for the kids?
Exactly my thoughts.
We shield them from stress, but will tehy be able to cope with stress as adults?
I think its the best thing schools are doing to reduce pressure on the young minds..and i am really happy with the new exam patterns. I don’t think putting extra pressure on kids in such small age adds value in their later life..kids today are really bright from early age..and i think its not difficult for them to cope up with pressure of board or other exams…
Healthy competition is always good but if it gives tension to the competitors the it is bad.
@Bhagyashree well, good to know we agree 🙂
@maverickshree I agree about not pressurizing at a very young age. But, what is the age you reckon that is suitable for them to be initiated to the grind?
@Chandrika Well, the competition and the tension can be controlled only till a certain level. What happens with the tough grind of Tech or medical schools or various entrance exams?
We are Americanizing our primary education.. the irony is that the Americans have been feeling the heat from highly competitive Indian and Chinese kids. And now we are trying our best to reduce that advantage. You run fastest when you are in a race. I’m not saying that we should put ridiculous pressure on children (especially very young ones), but removing nearly all competition cannot be a good thing.
my wife and kiddo had to shift midway to india..the struggle for admission to 9th..omg..v had nightmares boss..the role of parents these days..less said the better…anywy..lets not give up hope anytime…
🙂 Ahemmmmmm
All A+
Sahi Hai!!!! (Jaisi maa, waisa beta)
Lolzzzzzz
BTW, I am happy with this grading system as it has no pressure on children to get first rank or 95 or 98%.
Give him a big HUG and a big chocolate from my side
🙂
To whatever extent, competition is good.
A+ kids should be acknowledged, by all means!
@Apurva Yes, in our quest to make things easier (which is a good thing), are we taking away the incentives to compete or to perform well?
@Ramesh Admissions are a problem area with so few good institutions and so many kids aspiring for those seats.
@Bhupesh Thank you! I am happy that Siddharth has the self-motivation to excel. Because, not many incentives are provided externally. Not even any encouragement or recognition overtly from the school.
@BK Chowla Yes, Sir. Competition is healthy. Imagine if everyone got promotions in their jobs by a set tenure and not based on performance, what would be the incentive to perform better? Just look at our sarkari departments to understand this.
@Agnes Yes, I do agree with that.
hmm…errr…
so the parents stress too?
@Sorcerer 🙂 and, you did not know that!
Rachna, Agree with you about those school days where we looked forward for the ranks and the gift of books that came with the first, second and third ranks.
Though our school education is becoming easy in many ways, the parents make life soooo difficult for the child.
As a child I remember I knew I had to do my studies and be the best. So leave the child to think and not pamper the kid so much that the thinking part in him/her stops and they become more dependable.
As for higher studies, the pressure is no doubt very mounting.
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I am with the school system here. Because at Sid’s age, the rank is only for the parents thrill, its makes no meaning to the kid and to his future. This competition will only cause a burnout of the kids motivation as the pressure increases. At this age more importance should be given on making studies creative, enthusiastic and interesting and develop a better personality of the kid, not where they stand in the class. Until age 8-9-10, most kids are still blooming and if a kid is classified a certain rank in the class, a shy kid will get into a shell, the whole personality of the kid will suffer.
The education depart has the interest of all types of kids in mind when they make such decisions.
If we look at most of the top people in career, after a certain level, they are people with lots of creativity and have a well rounded personality. Later in life, this will become a very big factor for a successful career. Sure the Indian kids and chinese are bright..but they dont grow in the jobs after a certain level, if they lack in having a good personality.
@Gayatri Thanks didi for your elaborate comment. All I will say is how successful the Indian system has been can be seen by the success of Indians not only in the US but all around the world. Some of them do pretty well in the top echelons too.
Of course, it is important for the studies to be made interesting and creative, but not by diluting the high levels of curriculum. When I spoke of ranks, I was talking from the motivation point of view of a high performer. There is no bigger high than to stand first in class or top at any level – be it Board or an entrance exam level.
A good performer should be applauded or commended in some other way to make him motivated to strive harder. Of course, it helps a shy child with the grade system which equalizes all. I was only talking about academics. A well-rounded personality is important, and there is a huge emphasis on extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in our schools too. At the end of the day, we want our kids to explore their potentials to the fullest.
But, the fact of the matter is, for an Indian child, academics is still very important. Had we not had this edge in Science and Tech, Obama would not be constantly referring to India when it comes to intellect.