End of the a School term....Position or Percentage?

As schools are vacating for the 2nd Academic Term both Parents,Schools,Children and the Society are on the watch-out for Pupils Performance after the 2nd term examinations. Gone are those days when a successful child at the end of each examination is measured by his or her position.

Attaining the first position is seen as an instrument to measure the child's academic excellence .Over the years parents,schools and the society have zoomed down to point zero children who are yet to attain the first,second or third positions, ignoring the fact that all children are liable to attain these positions depending on the preparation and materials available to them. Points of reference :Parents,Society and the Schools. Parents :My profession as a teacher as availed me the opportunity to draw conclusions that Parents are liable of the performances attained by their children after examination.

There is so much expectations on teachers from Parents and the Society to perform miracles regarding wards academic performances while ignoring to perform their roles as Parents. Parents are supposed to make their children believe in themselves and boost their self-esteem whether they come tops or not in their various classes. Parents must be realistic about their expectations, which must be based on the child's past and present performance. It's was so surprising when a parent recently accosted me and complained bitterly about a two year old child who could not write letters and numbers . The above example s shows how unrealistic parents can be at times with regards to what they expect from their wards. Every child should be availed of active participation from his/her parents in their academics. Parents are expected to consider the following examination preparation tips for each child

1.Plan ahead lots of revision with the use of sound study systems.
2.Have a study place in the house for the child.
3.Develop a timetable for you and the child.
4.Don't try to be perfect.
5.Build the child's self -esteem.
6.Eat well and avoid fizzy drinks.
7.Exercise is important.
8.Do a lot of discussion.
9.Use visual teaching aids.
10.Take a break.
11.Don't overtask the child.

 Parents should understand that there is a need to assure their children that no matter what results they turn out at the end of term or year, they will still enjoy their support and love. This helps and gives the child lots of comfort to do his/her best too. It is also very important that parents should stop comparing their wards with other children as each child has his/her strengths/weakness. Society:The society should accept that in every race there must be a winner/loser, therefore the fact that a child isn't in the first to third position should not write-off the child's performance in totality. It is important to check the percentage/ average performance of the child which might depict some positives about the academic performance.

Last word Every child deserves at least a smile or handshake to encourage them to do more next time. School:The schools should understand that negative statement at the time of examination can cause emotional damage and mar the composure of a child. It can also make the child resign to the old result and decrease from hoping for a better result. It is also important that schools should find a medium of celebrating these less performing children in their areas of strengths which might not be cognitive. These awards which can be in affective and psychomotor skills according to Blooms taxonomy of learning will spur them success.