Should children work hardest at what they’re worst at?
I’ve been a private tutor on and off for the past few years. Over the last 12 months, I have been increasingly concerned about just how many parents turn to private tutoring — not to nurture their child’s academic interests but to marginally improve their grades so they can obtain a perceived head start.
The simple answer, of course, is competition. Nowadays, education is the kids version of the professional rat race. Students are required to get minimum grades in subjects that are totally unrelated to their future ambitions. (Why does a budding scientist need a B in English to go to university?). This means students are often forced to work hardest at what they’re worst at.
As much as I think I’m a fun tutor, it must be frustrating for my students, who have passions and interests of their own, to come home after a long day at school to be tutored in the one subject they’re worst at — and probably hate the most.
I’m by no means someone who advocates against competition. Indeed, I believe that when properly harnessed competition brings out the best in individuals and societies. Just look at how cities pull together when it’s their turn to host the Olympics or how children’s faces light up when they win school prizes.
What I do, however, take issue with is competition for competition’s sake. Being terrible at art, I would personally never opt to participate in an art competition; competing would be pointless unless I genuinely wanted to take part. Why we impose children to the routine of focusing on what they’re terrible at — simply so that they can progress to the next stage of the rat race — is beyond me.
And what about the opportunity cost of students focusing most on things they are destined to only ever be mediocre at? We’ve all heard the cliché of professional sportspeople who sacrifice all else and find themselves bereft of opportunities when their careers don’t take off. We hear less about the students that finish school with nothing but a string of average grades, a negative attitude towards learning and no understanding of where their talents lie.
Rather than acquiescing to a system that penalises students for their flaws, we should be creating one that encourages them to tease out and build upon their strengths. School should — and must — be a place where children identify and explore what they are actually interested in and talented at.
I presume it’s because other people feel the same about our education system that the following quote by Albert Einstein so often does the rounds on Instagram:
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” — Albert Einstein
As 2017 draws to a close, society perhaps ought to reflect on Einstein’s words and come up with solutions that maximise the potential of today’s students.
Hi, it’s me again. If you feel this post resonated with you then you might be interested in my startup, Nebula Webinars.
For a taste of what we do, check out the link. Have a great day :)
