Opinion
Media hype over GPA super-achievers
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Over the past few years or so we have been witnessing an extraordinary level of frenzy over the success of the GPA super-grade achievers. This is largely due to the hype by both the electronic and the print media. This year, too, is no exception. For quite some time now I have been feeling rather uneasy over the entire matter. As much as I understand that young achievers need to be encouraged and their morale boosted, it is no less important to understand the multidimensional impact of such heightened "publicity." Alongside boosting the morale of the super-achievers, it may also have a negative impact on the morale and spirit of the rest of their fellow students who have not been as successful. On the other hand, such heightened publicity also helps build a psyche amongst the achievers themselves that "this is the end of the line," and that from here onwards they no longer have to prove their special acumen to anyone else. It also has the potential of sending wrong signals to the entire student community, to the effect that success can be achieved only by rote learning. It is rather disturbing to see the "publicity" with full-blown pictures of the achievers, as though they were national celebrities. I feel that matters have been carried too far and blown out of proportion. The whole media coverage could have been more rational, reflecting a degree of professional wisdom. These achievers have a long way to go, hence parents and conscious citizens of the country, particularly the media, should do nothing that has even the remotest possibility of sending such a signal that "they and they alone are the chosen ones." Men of wisdom and veteran teachers often tell me that real education goes beyond succeeding in examinations, particularly at such elementary levels. I also cannot resist making yet another relevant observation. As I look back to the years gone by, particularly during the 50s and the 60s, there was hardly any such "celebrations" over similar successes achieved by school and college students. We all know that the quality of education was much higher then compared to what is now. Admittedly, it may be true that the boys and girls of today are better informed due to all round scientific and technological developments, including the field of education. At the same time, we should also remember that people with lesser academic records to their credit have been equally successful in their respective vocations or professional calling, if not more. One of the cardinal elements of good education for anyone, particularly those coming out of schools and colleges and on their way to higher seats of education, is modesty. The super-achievers are merely students who have done well in their examinations, and in the prime of their lives. We all owe it to ourselves to give them a well thought out perspective of life itself as a whole, and turn them into "thinking'" individuals. This year, matters have been further complicated due to a statement made by no less a person than the Chairman of the University Grants Commission, to the effect that the public universities should consider admitting the super-achievers without them going through the regular admission tests. If this recommendation is made on the basis that frequent irregularities had taken place in admission tests in the recent past, it is an erroneous one. In that case, the thing to do is to streamline the existing admission process instead of turning upside down an age old tested tradition, which the public universities had been successfully implementing for years. It is also important to note that merit cannot be judged solely on the grades achieved through rote learning. Frankly, degrees and grades in the final analysis are not parameters of either learning or quality education. In real life situations, the success of an individual depends more on the individual's integrity, honesty, and capacity to perform and endure. Under the circumstances, I believe that in the future the media should be more pragmatic and realistic, and follow a path of moderation in dealing with such issues. Let us inculcate a spirit in the entire the community of students that good education is more about "learning" than achieving grades. Finally, I wish to state that my objective of writing this short commentary is not to undermine either the GPA achievers or hurt the pride of their parents and guardians. It is also not aimed at being overtly critical of the media either. I have simply tried to vent some of my personal views on the matter. I claim no final wisdom in all that I have written. The observations made are my very own and bear malice to none. Shamsher Chowdhury is a columnist for The Daily Star.
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