How can your future be determined by BIG BROTHER at age 9?

I have advocated for years to abolish the Grade 5 exam, as inconsequential and meaningless in the context of the end result of a child’s growth, and more likely that not to be a negative factor, and therefore to be abolished.

The link here is further evidence to the likely harmful effects on at least 50%. http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=135602  

It is therefore worth returning to this topic again, bringing this back on the front burner. The facts are that in order to get into your selected school only 5% of the students get the minimum mark and from that number, only about 500 actually are taken into the school of their choice from this mark, completely negating the value, and so 95% of children who go to classes and burn the midnight oil don’t benefit from this at all.

My contention is that in the end, results also have proved, the passing of the minimum mark at this exam is NOT an indicator of if you are more or less likely to enter University. That is obvious from human psychology. Some kids develop later than others.

The proof of the pudding is that if we abolish this exam, we begin to see the overall performance of children IMPROVING. Then what is the allegation. It was a human rights violation on the part of the State to even have such by rote exams for children at such a young age, when exam competition and feeling of inadequacy if poorly performed, can have devastating and lasting effects on children.

Time yet again to take stock of this and decide on an alternative tack, but included as part of the overall education reform plan that is long overdue, so we are able to maximize on a student’s capability that may be unique to that student and NOT common to all.

Just as I had recommended, we need reform of the Montessori system as that is the critical age, where enthusiasm and learning are developed, and the mental capacity of a child is tested. IF we put the emphasis of training good teachers for Montessori and pay them well and try to encourage creativity from our students, that will hopefully be followed up with a similar forward looking push at Primary level, laying the foundation for a good education and learning process for later in life.

We must put pressure on our leaders to lead from the head of our youth!