zac's mum\" post_id=\"2135433\" time=\"1719101721\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2135433 time=1719101721 user_id=53606]
I wanted to talk about the danger of IP schools becoming a class divider between the “psle made it in / did not make it in”.
What then happens is, the ones who did make it in, think that they:
- Have made it for life (have heard stories about how the classmates in IP just sleep in class or watching YouTube on PLD during lesson, never study for exams, projects anyhow, EOY just do minimum to be promoted).
- are entitled to look down on non-IP kids (stories from the non-IP kids when they see old primary school friends; granted, some of it is typical boy ragging, if it’s not this topic then it’’ll be some other u pc of shit taunt)
- when they reach the higher levels and start to struggle, think they have imposter syndrome because “i’m smart, i got in because i was the top 10% but why can’t i pass this subject or why i’m not good at triple science, am i stupid?” Existential issues and anxiety crop up
- some may crash and burn out, mental health breaks down, have to exit IP (use Y4 results to enter poly, or go overseas). Some cases mentioned in the press
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In every society, there will be those who think and behave like this and others who have more clarity and do not.
Even before IP was started, there was the Special Stream, the top schools that parents coveted, the Express vs Normal streams etc. The same problems also existed.
(1) Inattentive kids, (2) kids who despise others, (3) those with imposter syndromes and (4) those who burn out are NOT because they went to IP. They exist in every society. Upbringing, circle of people they mix with and individuals' personalities also play a big role.
Removing IP or giving non-IP kids access to programmes specially designed for IP students will not remove this mentality.
An analogy: Just to soothe the emotions of those who don't get Gold, Silver and Bronze in a competition, do we give a medal to everyone who participates and share the prizes of the winners? No, if they choose to race, they must understand there are winners and losers. Do we remove the competitions so that the previous Gold, Silver and Bronze winners do not have to feel the pressure to defend the titles the next year? No, it is up to individuals to realise and manage the stress and if they cannot defend their titles, it is what it is. Time to get off racing and accept that one is no longer at the peak or try again next time.
IF we see the academic journey as a race, then we see winners and losers and in this case, some may think getting into IP is a win and those whose don't are non IP as losers.
Let me clarify here that I do NOT see it this way and do NOT think that just because kids getting in IP, they have won or made it for life. This is so naive. It is always about choosing the path that suits each kid best, one that can allow kids to thrive and brings out the best in him/her. THIS is the real win.
If we teach our kids to VIEW their own journey as one that involves making a series of decisions that are BEST for themselves to thrive (so the goal is everyone wins), instead of a race against others and view it as zero-sum game, then our kids also will not be affected by others' views. We (our kids too) cannot change how others view the situation easily but our kids can remain steadfast and confident regardless of paths they choose/end up on. So change our narratives and teach our kids to change their narratives too.
Just my own 2 cents.