Dear Diary,
Over the past few weeks, I have seen how easily children can get left behind if they are not good at something.
My daughter goes to a swimming class. She isn’t very confident in the water and would really benefit from rightful attention. However, both her and another child seem to get half the instructors attention, whilst the competent children receive it all.
During the class, each child is meant to have one to one time with the instructor. My daughter and this other child always wait patiently for their turn. During their turn, the instructors asks the competent children to repeat what they have learnt. Despite being competent they are unable to do this activity without help. So, during my daughter’s turn, her instructors attention is never on her but on these other three children.
Of course, it is easier to teach competent children. They demand less and are probably more fun. However, I would think that enabling incompetence into competency must be rewarding for any teacher. Am I wrong?
I can imagine how this form of teaching occurs through education at all levels. How slower children can get left behind. How education can fail the less bright. How 1/3 of children enter high school without the 3Rs.
Bunty
The Chatterjis Blog 