The Rat Race

Mimoh Likmabam *

Students appearing for Class X and XII Exam at Bamon Leikai, Imphal in March 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

What you learnt from academics though they didn't actually teach you that. The hidden rat race. A mind racing over matter, denying the usual facts.

It is in nature, to compete with your counterpart. Perfection can't be reach though touching it would be an excuse, because we are perfect in our own way. The urge to strive for more perfection in your skills, in turn can create havoc and even destroy instead of raising bar. In the current scenario of the education system in our state. Quantity/Quality education, is a blame game for the administration. The most common street talk, not all can be the 1st position holder in the class.

Among the 3 students who would be standing in front of all the other students in the school assembly for they have performed well in their academics, the student with the 3rd position will be the happiest lot because he will be feeling preety contended that he has performed very well indeed and he has secured a top spot if not for two above him and many of those below him, who missed for such a chance.

Students always hope to maintain their level of performance or either improvise it. The ranking system followed in the schools pampers its learners and treats them with glut at an immature age. To err is human. This treatment can become a boon for them, as it is uncertain that they will maintain the same result, or improve from the previous. So if the student does not deliver as he expects in the consecutive exams, he will develop a pressure on himself, before being actually caught by peer pressure. This will surely lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. A common thing among the students. So once he failed to deliver, he has to improve in the next. If things turn out fine, he can improve consequently but if not so, it can even lead to more self-created mental problem and bitter consequence.

What we need is a change in the education system. Students are made to follow this race from the kinder garden itself. Yes!! They say life is a race but you don't need to overtake every rider. There is no denying a person will be the last in the race, when he overtakes every rider. He'll be so worried about what to do, next step he'll forgot the race and eventually, will get lost in the track.

Ranking system creates a class among the students in the same classroom. A standard is needed to bring this class to an equivalent level for all the students.

Grading system instead of the old ranking system can avoid this confusion. Students are grouped equivalently under certain intervals based on their performance. No doubt it relieves every students who are under-pressure from under-performance. Extra-curricular activities and work education can level the difference among the different groups. Grading system can help us win the rat race in each one of us. Unfortunately, the old ranking system, has no such system, so it is out of the question to ask why ranking system should be compared to grading system.

This a web-extract, telling us the scenario of grading system in India.

The Indian education system has taken a step forward towards reviving the education system with the introduction of grading system in session 2009-10. It will help in reducing the pressure on students during exams. In the last five years the meaning of education has changed for students from imbibing knowledge to merely scoring marks, resulting in myriad forms of education policies.

As per reports, every day more than 17 students aged between 15-25 years commit suicide in India due to non-performance in the examination or an entrance test. Watching young children of the country succumbing to the undue pressure of scoring high marks is horrifying. One of the points to note here is the thinking of the society, which puts lot of pressure on students to 'to perform'.

This pressure from schools, parents, peer groups and society takes away the youthfulness of a child. Further, a health report also supports that this often causes health hazard such as fatigue, body aches, eye weakness, stress and in more severe cases, depression (neurotic/psychotic.) Looking at today's education scenario, the Central Board of Senior Education has introduced educational counsellors and child psychologists in schools to boost the confidence of young students and mentally prepare them for the board examination. This method has helped in reducing the stress and making them comfortable with the examination.

Understanding the board exam system in India and its relation with students is of great importance in present times. While coping with the expectations of school, parents and society and keeping pace with their talent, students face a lot of hardships. Thus, the implementation of a grading system and abolition of board exams is really a boon for students.

Adoption of grading system in India, the grading system was introduced in 2008-09 from class I-VIII, reducing the exam stress. Extending the concept to class IX and X has further reduced the pressure, giving students an opportunity to explore other avenues. Following the US model, the implementation of the grading system is to bring in more practical education than the current theoretical method. This model prescribes a varied range of opportunities, providing children of all levels a platform to showcase their talent and pursue their interests traditionally; class XI students were given subjects as per marks scored in Class X. This system often disappointed students if they scored low. Moreover, if a student didn't get the required percentage due to poor scoring in one subject, then the entire percentage gets affected. The grading system will give students relief. It will provide ample opportunities to students to excel in their choice filed.

Its implementation will help an average student to cope with the stress though leaving a lot of toppers to question it. Students will be evaluated on a 9-point grading system, which will diminish the difference between a student scoring 99% and one scoring 91%. Both students will get the A+ grade. To make the grading system a success, parents and teachers need to acknowledge children's special assets and encourage them pursue their interest.

It is therefore, definitely recommended choice of solution to implement this system, in schools and colleges of our state. I hope the state government consider this change, which is indeed needed in the state's education system, for, education and the educated are the backbone of every society. In this changing times and rapid developments progressing day by day, we need strong and quality pillars that won't get cracked, due time. The society can thrive well if experience is well spent and the fruits sowed with labours are properly reaped. The debate on Quantity Education/Quality Education can qualify on grading system.