We see mindless competition all around us. Struggling for extra marks, endless tutorial classes, paying donation to get in better colleges. The competitive spirit is clear in an advertisement I saw recently. It said, 'Buy this Book - Give your child Unfair Advantage'. Do we even notice what we have come to be. So no doubt such competition is bad for children and everyone-else.
This has led to many progressive and experimental schools to shun the competition entirely. Competition, in any form, is suppressed. However, to compare and compete is very fundamental. Notice that people who are against competition in school also enjoy ICC and Wimbledon matches. Competition exists amongst children in worst form, whether schools sanction it or not. They fight for petty things and show-off their new goodies. Better shoes, more costly pen. On the other hand, where they should compete to excel, these children become complacent and sloppy. They don't know what it is to strive to deliver.
What we want is to promote good competition, where children push each other to excel - in their niche fields. And they know that they are not special outside the niche. Then they see their win in a larger perspective. And they are magnanimous about it. To be a winner is great, but to win and be magnanimous or humble about it is even greater.
Schools should promote - Competition with Magnanimity. I believe we should cultivate a philosophy where we compete to excel in both real and moral spheres.
This has led to many progressive and experimental schools to shun the competition entirely. Competition, in any form, is suppressed. However, to compare and compete is very fundamental. Notice that people who are against competition in school also enjoy ICC and Wimbledon matches. Competition exists amongst children in worst form, whether schools sanction it or not. They fight for petty things and show-off their new goodies. Better shoes, more costly pen. On the other hand, where they should compete to excel, these children become complacent and sloppy. They don't know what it is to strive to deliver.
What we want is to promote good competition, where children push each other to excel - in their niche fields. And they know that they are not special outside the niche. Then they see their win in a larger perspective. And they are magnanimous about it. To be a winner is great, but to win and be magnanimous or humble about it is even greater.
Schools should promote - Competition with Magnanimity. I believe we should cultivate a philosophy where we compete to excel in both real and moral spheres.
No comments:
Post a Comment