We should not assume that all kids want to excel in their studies.

Kids who are smart are not necessarily hard working. Although intelligence is important, hard work is even more so. One who is not-so-smart, but very diligent may end up scoring much better than one who is smart, but not willing to put in extra effort. Not every one ‘by default’, aims to be a TOP. There are many who are very intelligent, but think that by virtue of their intelligence, they can afford to relax and still ‘scrap through’ with minimum effort.

Many GEP kids I know of, particularly the boys, are more concerned with having an enjoyable time in their learning journeys than scoring high marks. Route-learning and mugging bore them even though that seems to be the way to score in our current examination framework.

As an adult, we all know that Money is very important for survival, as well as a better standard of living. Why then is not everyone working very hard, taking a few jobs, going all the way, just to maximize our wealth?

The reason is because WE ARE EXERCISING A CHOICE. A choice to have more time for entertainment and relaxation, time to pursue our hobbies and interest, time for enriching our relationships with loved ones and time away from additional work and stress, all at the expense of more wealth.

A child, too, may wish to exercise his choice if he is allowed to or if he can afford to. Choice, not to have academic pursuit as the sole measure of his success…Choice to have more relaxation and less stress…Choice to pursue his interest… and Choice, not to compete….

We, as adults know the importance of a ‘good’ education from our own life experiences. A child, at 12 or below will not be able to appreciate it. Any competitive streak to excel has to be inculcated by the adults or adopted to meet the adult’s expectations.