Exams are a Stepping Stone
CHARLOTTE MASON VOLUME 5 : Formation Of Character: CHAPTER 3, PART 1
There are a few things more beautiful than people working together towards a goal. It’s easy to feed off the energy of one another. This is precisely what a school environment facilitates; students working together on the same subject matter towards passing examinations.
Unfortunately, examinations mostly test for facts. A child’s success depends on his/her ability to receive, retain, classify and reproduce information. It’s quite easy for the educational emphasis to shift from increased understanding to a transient acquisition of knowledge.
It’s our responsibility as parents to help our children to develop a creative personality.
“The creative genius is the least susceptible to the false god of specialisation and can therefore synthesise varied intelligences in a way that is profoundly greater than the sum of its parts.”
“It is important to note, however, that this type of fully integrated, fully realised creative personality is self-made, not born. It is the result of years of disciplined effort.”
- Terry Roberts, PhD (The New Smart)
Does this render exams ineffective? Not at all. There is always something to learn when striving towards any goal. The journey transforms you and you discover much more about yourself. Nevertheless, it’s up to parents to desire more for our children than simply passing exams. We must invest the additional effort to nurture resilient, highly educated, and compassionate individuals.
Best Regards,
Olufunmike