currently injured.

“More in need” of your time?! August 30, 2011

It’s just unfair that you give time to those who aren’t even willing to work hard. They only have themselves to blame for not putting in consistent effort to do well since the very beginning. And now instead of reaping what they sow, and failing, they’re getting extra tuition. While students like me who genuinely are interested to learn out-of-syllabus stuff are not only not nurtured, but shoved into a corner and repressed. What kind of education system is this? Meritocracy? Who are you trying to kid! What’s with the ‘my-time-is-for-E/S/U-students-only’ attitude? I’m sure even if I get straight U’s for Prelims you wouldn’t care! But will I fail that badly? No. Because (not bragging but) I’m a conscientious, hardworking student, and as much as I spend 72h/week doing coursework, I still find time to keep up with my other subjects. Even if it means studying on public transport. Even if it means eating with one hand and punching calculator buttons with the other. Even if it means there are things I don’t understand WHICH WILL FOREVER REMAIN THAT WAY because you’re unwilling to part with some time.

In fact, even if by some miracle they score an A for A levels, they’ll only be thankful for your help in getting that A. But by then they’ll be so sick of the subject, they won’t even consider pursuing it, whether it be Math/Physics/Chemistry/etc. (Okay maybe a bit of math because it’s compulsory modules in uni.) There you have failed as a teacher. Where in that do you see children being inspired to learn? I don’t, because to me they’re just chasing papers.

So think on that while you work yourself sick, giving consults to students who desperately turn up for the sake of their exam grades. These are students who just are flailing around, hoping to hit some magical formula to help them pass. These are students who don’t even bother preparing sufficiently before consults so they at least know what phenyl ethanoate is. These are students who are, apparently, according to you, “more in need” of your time.

I have never been more disappointed and disillusioned with the education system than I am now.