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It's only semi autobiographical
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
In addition to this, there was no form of competition, at all. Each class worked independantly to the others, entirely, there was no comparison of scores at all. Each class was then split into 4 groups, and each group would attempt to perform an activity faster than the other three. Each activity was performed several times with minor differences, so everyone could have a stab at winning I guess... The reward for coming first each time was a brief applause. Afterwards, the children just dissapated into playtime.
Now some among you will probably think I'm an idiot for criticising this, but that is not a sports day. They should either change it officialy to something like a "Games day" or a "Fun day" or, radicaly, actualy have a sports day.
The argument seems to be that they are trying not to encourage competition, but instead teamwork. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think those two are mutualy exclusive. Take football teams, the best football teams have a combination of intense competitive spirit, and fantastic teamwork, which allows them to take appart weaker sides. I find it not surprising in the least that generaly my brothers school does poorly in inter-school competitions, (althogugh I am assured that the hockey team is at least mediocre, and other teams, not coached by teachers also occasionaly do well) and I am deeply saddened when I see potentialy brilliant children being actively repressed, to the benifit of those who are poor, yet on the day, look like they are trying hard.
Now I wholeheartedly agree that children who have difficulty in an area should be rewarded for effort, but not at the expense of those who are genuinely talented. I speak as someone who has experianced, both directly and vicareously, through my brother, both ends of the scale. For example after weeks of working, my brother has produced a presentation on a given topic, complete with a stunning front cover, good detail, and even illustration. I would have been happy to put my own name to it, and it is far above his normal standards, however, when it comes to a prize for the best one, it is given to a child who has produced only a mediocre presentation, but who usualy does no work at all. The same situation has been experianced by myself, admittedly more so in years past than recently. On the other hand, when participating in a sports situation, I have recieved 'awards' I know I do not deserve, and I have experianced little more embarasing than to have someone say "Oh go on, let him have the goal/point." In a condecending manner, in a situation in which I know I did not score.
Back to competition as a whole, an aquaintance of mine pointed out in a discussion that: "When you don't get a job, that's because of competition in the workplace, when you don't get a girl you like, it's partialy due to competition, to succede today, you need to be able to compete with others, and win." Now I agree, to an extent, with this. Competition is an essential part of living, and a competitive nature should be encouraged. Competition is seen as almost a dirty word in recent years, as though there is something wrong with this natural and benificial behaviour. People seem to connect being competitive with being selfish, wanting to win all the time, and being spitefull afterward. But that is a different kind of personality trait, you can no more connect the two than connect being shy with agoraphobia.
In conclusion, for now, I think that the way competition in general, and Physical Education in specific, is handled in more and more primary schools is ridiculous, and some serious thought must go into re-working this area of education, bearing in mind its effects on both future success and health and well being.
Now, I'm irritated, and someone is going to hear about it.
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