Competition.

"The exam results are published,” exclaimed my roommate. That was the final year results, and those who got decent grades could apply for jobs and move on with their lives. Others will have no option but to stay back, rewrite the exams, and improve their grades. Many welcomed this new process that was introduced by the school management. Second chances, we students wholeheartedly embraced it.

I joined my roommate and walked towards the school. There was a big crowd near the notice board. The school clerk had posted the student ids along with their grades on the wall. The failed list was posted on the ‘wall of shame’ just across the principal’s office. It was quite evident that the principal wanted to have a word with those students.

I was an average student, and I was quite confident that I have passed all the papers. I went straight to the wall of shame and stood there. I could extend some assistance to those who failed, I thought. Strangely, no one came towards the wall of shame. I went over the list again and quickly counted fifteen students. I was certain that some of those students who were hanging out on the other side of the wall might be on this failed list.

Someone tapped my shoulder. It was the school clerk. He asked me to report to the principal’s office. I reluctantly walked into his office. “What happened to you? I thought you were good at studies”, the principal greeted me with a comment.
“I think I passed all the papers,” I replied

“You think? Didn’t you check what grades you got?” The principal sounded irritated

“Shall I go and check now?” I wanted an excuse to leave the place

“No, I want to discuss this matter” Principal insisted

There were only two things freely available in this world, advice, and criticism.

“My son, it seems you don’t like evaluation tests. Is that right?”
“I never said that. What I don’t like is competition. I don’t agree with the grading process. Don’t you think even if one student failed, we collectively failed?”

“Nonsense. We gave the same level of tutoring to each student. If someone failed it is their responsibility”, the principal countered

“Maybe, we should let the students learn and like their course before evaluating them.”

The principal got irritated

“Son, why do you hate evaluation? Why do you hate competition? I know you had never participated in any competitive tests unless it was mandated. Don’t you think competition forces you to improve yourself all the time? Test your boundaries?”

“I know my boundaries. I don’t want a test or an evaluation to validate that”

“I am sick and tired of this argument. I hate this job. Three more years, I am out of this place” Principal got even more agitated

“Exactly, that is my point. If you are competitive and you try to excel others in all the tasks you do, you will never enjoy the process”, I replied

“Son, tell me how I can enjoy my work here. I am severely understaffed. I have to deal with potheads like you. I don’t even know when I took my last vacation.”

“Sir, May I ask, what do you like to do the most?”

“My Saturdays!” He paused for a moment

“Every Saturday morning, I take my boat and sail for hours. That’s how I relax.”

“I am glad that you have a hobby. Let me ask, while you are enjoying your sail, do you watch other boats? Do you race them?”

“Yes, I watch if they are fancy or new. But, why should I race? I enjoy the sail. I enjoy as much time as I am in that boat. I don’t care about the destination.”

“Good, if that is what you said, why don’t you try the same here? Why don’t you enjoy your time here? No racing. No competition. You can make every day a Saturday.”

“Get the heck out of here” Principal shouted

“If anyone needs help, I will be in the library,” saying that I left his room.

Suresh Jayaprasad
3/27/2018