Schools Should Stop Awarding Best Student at End-of-Term

[Ita Grace]

I May Be Criticized for Saying This, But I Believe Schools Should Stop Awarding "Best Student" at End-of-Term Parties.

Yes, I said it.

Every year, schools gather children together and publicly announce:

Best Student Most Brilliant Pupil Overall Best

The same few children walk to the front smiling while dozens of others sit quietly watching.

What many adults don't realize is that some children go home that day believing they are failures.

Imagine a child who started the term unable to identify letters but can now read simple sentences.

Imagine a child who moved from 15% to 60%.

Imagine a child who fought through sickness, family problems, or learning difficulties and still showed up every day.

Then the message they receive at the party is:

"You are not the best."

And we wonder why some children gradually lose confidence in themselves.

Education should not be a competition where only the fastest child is celebrated.

A school is not a race track.

The purpose of education is growth.

The child who improved from 20% to 60% may have worked harder than the child who scored 95%.

Yet one receives a trophy while the other receives applause and goes home empty-handed.

Before you say, "Life is competitive," remember that these are children.

Confidence is built before competition is introduced.

A child who believes in himself will compete better in the future than a child who grows up feeling inadequate.

Why don't we celebrate:

Most Improved Learner Best Reading Progress Most Helpful Classmate Best Behaviour Outstanding Effort Excellent Attendance Most Resilient Learner

Every child has something worth celebrating.

I know many people will disagree with me.

But I would rather raise a confident child who keeps improving than a discouraged child who believes success belongs only to a chosen few.

So tell me honestly:

Should schools continue giving only "Best Student" awards, or is it time for a different approach?

#eduproforum

 

[Mrs Ene Achu]

While I support you on this
I also think it's the phrasing.

It should be rephrased

Why because most students might get to work hard just to get at the highest grading point to also be announced,in events like this

 

[Victoria Yunisa]

Yes ooo.... I'm in support of this.... I don't actually know how we got to this point where education now turns to competition.... Yet we say everyone grows at their pace.... For decade that I've been in the education system I can truly say every child deserves an award celebrate every child so as not to think they are meant to compete with one another..... That's why I don't compare children with One another

 

[Grace Ufochuku]

There is nothing wrong with giving awards or prizes at the end of the school year.

Recognizing and celebrating learners' achievements is a good practice that can motivate and encourage excellence.

My concern, is that such awards should reflect all three domains of education: the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.

Recognition should not be based solely on the cognitive domain (the acquisition of knowledge and academic performance.)

Like you rightly said, It should also acknowledge the affective domain, which includes character, values, attitudes, and emotional development, as well as the psychomotor domain, which encompasses practical skills, creativity, and physical abilities.

When the school take into account all the three domains, it promotes holistic education and encourage learners to develop into well-rounded individuals, rather than focusing only on academic excellence.

The fact remains, that most school owners are not educators, they are business men and women.

 

[jamessunday]

As much as there's sense in your opinion, I need you to remember that life has many phases.
It can be argued that the child who wins award for punctuality is because he lives close to school and probably walk to school. While others leave home as early as 5:30am on school bus, and arrive late. How do we handle this case?
Excellence must be celebrated and rewarded, no matter how we look at it. A child who puts in all of his energy and efforts to study, must be celebrated over those whom teachers run after to turn in his assignments. Every effort is worth celebrating whether in academics, skills or even conducts.