My first question itself is
”Is Competition really needed in the schools?”

The second question is
“Is giving Ranks to the children in these competitions necessary?”

Is Competition really needed in the schools : Some times I feel, the competitions held in the schools are not organized properly. In any performance, there are more than 100 kids from each category to show their skills. Do you believe that the judgment is fair?

Now coming to your question:
‘Competition in Schools – Fight for the Ranks’ : at such situations when one can not judge properly, how can you fight for the ranks? But I have seen the parents, struggling to get Number One, Two and Three! And they feel so sad if their child won’t get the prize of rank.

Even in Class unit tests and term exams, the child who gets more marks or who gets first three ranks are treated with more care than others. I do not understand this theory!

The teacher should take more care of a child who is lagging behind! Even the children who have first rank behave very bad with other normal kids!

As per my thinking, the ranking should not be given in the schools. All the children should be treated equally and only the participation award or certificate should be given.

I know by doing this, we are discouraging the talented children. Keeping the rank in mind, many kids study hard and achieve their ranks. But, if the competition is healthy with no partiality (which happens always), then the competition is essential and instead of ranking they can be given just grades (Grade A for certain percentage, Grade B for lesser and so on…)

I can think only this much now! I have written on my self experience and what my kids are going through!

Waiting for more ideas from other members so that I can learn or change my way of thinking.

–
Keep smiling,
Nivedita