If we develop clones of children and grow them in different countries of the world there are more chances that they will grow as different individuals, and with different capabilities. This suggests that the level of knowledge that one gets in life is greatly influenced by the surrounding environment that includes social, political, family, and cultural backgrounds, to name a few. And ironically, children of such varied backgrounds are treated as equal in classroom environment in schools.
This is a fact, and we all go through this process of cognitive disorientation. Ideally, this should not be the case because it is illogical to think that all these children can be measured using just one scale, which usually consists of various components of assessments in a course, for example tests, examination, assignments etc. and therefore, the way such students will respond to a course in a school will definitely vary. And when the teachers use the same grading scale for all such children they are doing nothing but simply destroying the intellectual capabilities of such kids.
Ask how? Because these students will absorb the course contents differently, and when you grade them they will surely get various grades. Some A, some B, and some F etc. And here lies the real problem. Those who get higher grades become celebrities, and this is one of the worst things that can happen to education that craves for creativity, wisdom, and equality, because such a system grossly encourages class system. Think about it. How many media portals interview less achievers, and why everyone runs towards high achievers? Dont you think by doing this we have created a harsh celebrity culture that just breeds inequality? And the real purpose of education is defeated because it should actually build a system that values justice, equality, and togetherness.
Human live on the planet Earth together, and the real reason we started to educate ourselves is perhaps to understand our own world, universe etc., and to create conditions that prioritize safety, security, love, and comfort for all. And while our forefathers started to build blocks of knowledge that are aimed to make our lives comfortable, happy, and peaceful, why are we destined to do the opposite. In our daily life we often help people who are poor, less privileged, and weak but when it comes to grading our children we often do the opposite. And I feel the problem is deeply rooted in the system that highly exaggerates the need of higher grades to be what they called successful. And I tell you what, it is not true. Students who get good grades may or may not perform well in life, and similar is the situation with less achievers in a class. But when we grade them in numbers we are simply labelling them, which could prove absolutely wrong. For example one of the family maids of famous Nobel laureate Albert Einstein considered him dimwitted, and it is said that Albert was slow, low achiever, and he often struggled to find a decent academic job. The rest is history, we all know it.
Let us assume that grading system may work to some extent but then we have to make sure that students are of similar backgrounds, because one cannot compare apples with stones, and only then we can think to consider such students comparison and grading system is suitable and genuine, but we know this is simply difficult, and almost impossible. And primarily this gets even more complicated because we cannot ignore the role of quality of schooling, teachers, mentors, facilities, etc. in shaping of a childs cognitive development. So, why are we running after higher grades when we know for sure that these grades cannot quantity talent and intellect, which undoubtedly form the backbone of our childs knowledge-bank.
So, what is the best remedy to educate our children so that they value creativity, curiosity, and togetherness, I think the answer lies in creation of a system where they find loved, cared, and educated, regardless of their achievements. The ray of love that generate curiosity is far better than getting a highly paid job that even machines can do. In the present world we greatly need thinkers, and intellectuals etc. who can prioritize peace, sharing of resources (intellectual/material), creativity, love, and togetherness. We are not looking for high salaries kids with no wisdom.
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