Busting the myth of “elite” schools

The results of the Grade Five scholarship exams rolled out this week should provide inspirational reading for parents who are willing to keep an open mind. The top 10 students who scored impressive marks were from schools as far apart as Matara and Jaffna but none of them were from the so-called “top schools” of Colombo. So why are parents, especially professionals, so keen to get their children into a handful of schools?

Educationists have long observed the concept of “popular” schools in Sri Lanka is a flawed one. Talented children can and do often come from unexpected backgrounds and impress with little financial backing. While there is obviously a connection between nature and nurture, some children are simply more intelligent than others, and have the capacity to absorb and understand information faster. This is not necessarily dependent on genes and smart children often come from ordinary backgrounds.

Undoubtedly the majority of children depend on talented teachers, extra tuition, discipline and encouragement from parents to score well in exams but this environment is not just found in popular schools. Dedicated teachers around the country also render considerable service and one could argue that these talented students filtering into popular schools on their scholarship exam results could be one of the reasons why Colombo schools score better in Ordinary Level and Advanced Level rankings.

In an increasingly-competitive environment, parents feel they must do everything in their power to give students not just the best start but also the right “contacts” to help them make their way in the world. Recently doctors took the drastic action of going on strike because their children were not given spots in top schools and sparked a heated debate on preferential treatment being dished out to one segment of professionals.

This desire to get children to preferential schools by any means necessary has also resulted in Grade 1 admissions becoming one of the most corrupt systems in society but clearing it would be impossible without a massive change in public mindset. Obviously, the Government has to ensure that resources are distributed as equitably as possible so rural schools can do the best by their students. But another and less discussed point is that people, especially private sector companies and their top position holders, have to stop unfairly boosting students from their alma mater.

This inclination to bond over schools and establish vast networks, sometimes across generations and countries, unfairly sidelines students from schools that are not considered “cool”. Deciding the worth of a job applicant based on whether they went to an “elite” school or recommending them on the strength they are part of the bro-system or even giving them leeway when such concessions would not be allowed for someone else is rampant within the private sector. That is the simple truth and parents understandably would do anything to ensure their children are part of this system, especially if they themselves have felt the sharp sting of being overlooked for a position or disrespected for flimsy reasons such as being from the “wrong” school.

Anyone doubting the proliferation of this system need only look at the top rungs of this Government. “Elite schools” exist because there is an elitist social system that holds up their foundations for centuries. This unholy nexus has defined Sri Lanka since before independence. Education for its own sake will never win until people are seen for their qualities and achievements; not judged by the school they attended.