Beyond ranks: No toppers, no losers

In the hope to ease pressure and competition among children, the Maharashtra education department decided that it would not name student toppers in the HSC and SSC results. DNA seeks opinions about merits and demerits of the move.

Intelligent pupils will be disappointed

Definitely, it’s good news for most students who always hated discrimination based on ranking. However, those who have always evaluated their progress on the basis of their scores will feel discouraged. But it conveys a positive message, that there is concern for students from every performance strata. And it’s a good method of individual results, which I think should be followed at every stage of education. It can definitely help decrease the emotional fallout of children who get discriminated publicly. But there are two aspects. Firstly children who studied hard to achieve a good rank will be disappointed, since they won’t have a goal anymore. At a later stage, it will sap them of motivation in their academics. While mediocre children, who don’t study for merit, will be happy. If government has taken a decision not to publicise toppers, then at least their achievement can be mentioned in the individual mark sheet. The government should also give some rewards to those who did a lot of hard work.
—Shubhangi Dere, consultant psychiatrist

Some coaching classes cash in on ‘merit’

Every new measure has a ripple effect. Hence when a topper’s name is announced by the board, various tuition classes start advertising that the student was from their institute. This leads to the whole ranking system, which has a negative effect on children. Therefore, I agree with the education department’s move to not publicise names of toppers. All children are different and have different ways to realise their potential. Therefore, comparing them with each other on the basis of marks only adds to negativity and anxiety. And if a student tops in the exams, I’m sure he didn’t do it to please the world and will be content with his hard work, without seeing his name in newspapers. Also, it would be wrong to say that toppers need to be rewarded, because this will make children develop a wrong approach towards hard work. Rewards shouldn’t be bestowed for academic scores, because this will not promote learning. Children should be taught to develop their potential.
—Nitya Ramaswami, head, child development & academics, Zee Learn

Why praise only the academically sound?

To some extent, it’s a good decision. This is because these days, the media goes overboard when the results are announced and concentrates only on the toppers. Sometimes other students who have worked equally hard tend to feel left out. At the same time, many students even look up to these toppers and get inspired to do better. Performance of toppers shouldn’t be a benchmark for others, as students are doing well in other extra-curricular activities like sports, dance and theatre, which aren’t given the same emphasis. We continue to praise those doing well only in academics.     
—Candice Samuel, class X

Comparisons create negative feelings

For a change, the state education department has come up with an intelligent move. There is so much competition that parents as well as teachers are always putting pressure on students to study and attend tuition classes. This puts children through a lot of anxiety and doesn’t leave them any time for extra-curricular activities. This doesn’t ensure overall development. Naming toppers only adds to unfair competition, since comparison among friends creates negative sentiment and bad blood. If a student has topped then why should we announce it to the world?
    —Riddhi Barfiwala, class IX

Ranking prepares them for tough life ahead

I don’t think, it is a right decision. If students are not getting ranks between from primary school to class IX, it is acceptable, but in class X and XII there should be a ranking system. After all it gives children a sense of competition. It propels them to do well. It’s a kind of preparation to compete in a very competitive society ahead in their life. Moreover if children won’t be getting recognition for their hard work, this will work as a deterrent for their inclination towards studies. Also, we need uniform boards to eliminate discrimination among students.   
    —Seema Agarwal, homemaker

Young achievers need official recognition

It is not right to hide someone’s achievement in examination. Students put all their efforts to get high score and top ranks. So if they will not be given the right recognition they won’t find any motivation to study. There is no discrimination at all in such disclosure of scores. However it gives inspiration to others to aspire to become a topper too. There is no discrimination when children are getting a lesson to do well in life. The education department doesn’t understand that life after school, for children, is also a race — where everyone wants to go ahead.  
     —Pius Noronha, project manager

Motivates them to strive and improve

Who wouldn’t like to see their name in the list of toppers? Every child who works hard to get good marks, wishes to be on that list. So, I don’t agree with the move and think that deserving children need to be rewarded. This boosts their morale and motivates others to do more, so that their name is on the list next time. We all know that comparing children with each other is wrong, since each child is unique and has a distinctive calibre. Hence, grading system is better than marks. When we highlight the negative elements, I think the positive too needs to be highlighted.
    —Vinay Rajgarhia, businessman

Toppers work hard, should be given due

I believe that toppers work hard to reach the level and score maximum marks. Hence they should be felicitated. I don’t think there is any correlation between announcing toppers and the level of competition and stress among students. At the same time, parents or teachers shouldn’t compare students with others. All children have their own potential and talent. Some can score well, because they are quite intelligent and some work a lot towards it and hence they need to be given their due. Comparisons should be avoided, students should realise their strength and strive to improve.    
    —Kavita M, homemaker