Learning is not a competition

Education

Date: September, 2018

Source: The Straits Times Singapore

Singapore has removed ranking of students last September, 2018 for all primary and secondary schools. No more first honor, second honor or being last in the class. The Minister of Education, Ong Ye Kung, addressed 1,700 school leaders:  “I know that ‘coming in first or second’, in class or level, has traditionally been a proud recognition of a student’s achievement. But removing these indicators is for a good reason, so that the child understands from young that learning is not a competition, but a self-discipline they need to master for life.”

All theosophical schools do not have ranking or competition among students ever since they were established. Ranking is deemed harmful to students because students tend to think that the way they are measured for their achievement is based on their competitive position or ranking in school. They lose sight of the real purpose of education.