I remember when I was in primary school, I
was always either first or second in my class this was earlier on oh, before I discovered
how much I hated mathematics. I recall how I came back every time with my first/
second result and after doing this for awhile my parents treated it like it was
nothing special it became an expectation. After a while I too stared treating
it like it was my right to be the best or second best in class. Then one term
my younger brother who could not be bothered came second in his class, my parents
were all over him like "oh he came first" and so on. Imagine my
annoyance so I met my mother in the kitchen that day and said "mummy but I
came second too" and she said "but of course you did dear, what other
position did you want to get do you want me to throw a party?" (I will
like you to know that my mother is very sarcastic in a loving way of course but
sarcastic nonetheless and I love it.) lol.
We were expected to be the best nobody gave prizes back then for participation
my parents did not tolerate mediocrity. Then fast forward to now, we have our
own kids and schools are telling us now that they will not push our kids so
that our kids will learn at their own pace. I love a "don't care" child any day, but I am also a very
competitive person, why is it that when we are looking for stuff to copy
from other cultures we take the worst things instead of the best not everything
you see other people do will work for you. We copy the American/British
curriculum tell a Nigerian mother that her child will not write waec but the
SAT, what if my child never leaves the borders of Nigeria, will we start teaching our children British history instead of Nigerian history? I know for a
fact that Nigerian bred kids used to be the best because competition was
actually encouraged here. A decent amount of competition is not a bad thing,
no prizes for participation but prizes for winning, why will I bother being the
best at what I do if I can just get a commendation for participation. What we should be fighting for is a higher standard for our children, and a system that exposes them to the realities of life and actual usable skills not a system that encourages slacking. Are we
progressing or regressing?
So the next time a teacher tells you not to worry
and let your child come into their own on their own I will suggest that maybe
you begin to worry a little because, as much as I want a peace and love baby I
also want a well adjusted and motivated child who will be able to manage and
conquer not someone who expects to be babied and patted on the back for every
simple thing they manage to do.
Of course we will reward our kids for taking
on the hard stuff, but sometimes being able to do something you thought was
difficult is reward in itself and truly only the best are celebrated. But what
you really want is a child that can motivate his or her self into doing stuff
that will be great even if there is no one around to say good job for your
participation, I think that's the angle our parents were trying to accomplish. Let's say no to mediocrity in
our children's education.
XO
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