It’s that time of year again, school’s almost out, the kids are breaking up for the summer holidays and parents are taking time off work to attend the annual sports day. School sports day, a chance for children to demonstrate their prowess at running, the long and high jumps and throwing the cricket ball. The problem is that  these days many schools deem it inappropriate for children to compete with one another, it’s not fair that little Peter should endure the humiliation of coming last in the 100 metres or that little Jane should suffer as her best friend Mary overtakes her in the sack race. Instead, it’s either arranged that everybody crosses the line at the same time and/or whatever the result everybody receives a prize.
The question is, if schools are there to provide our children with a good grounding for life and to prepare them for the outside world what is this actually going to teach them? That in the real world there is no competition and everybody rubs along nicely receiving equal treatment? That the rewards are always shared equally?
Of course, it is all complete nonsense and is a perfect example of political correctness at it’s worst. We all know (or at least those of us in the private sector know) that life in the real world is dirty, cut-throat and highly competitive. If you are not good enough you don’t get on, if your product is inferior to your competitor’s you don’t sell it and you don’t earn any money. Nobody is going to buy your inferior goods because they like you or because you are a good person.

These schools are failing our children who should be taught to be competitive and to be hungry for success. All children should receive equal encouragement at school and should be urged to do their best at all times. If they do their best and don’t win the race then they should be encouraged to keep at it and try again. If they still can’t make any progress then they should be encouraged to try something else. There is never any disgrace in failure provided you’ve given it your best shot. To reward failure is a travesty and I ask again what kind of message does it give to children!

If everybody receives a prize then the prize is worthless. The prize should be the sole reward of the winner because in the real world that’s the way it is; that’s how it goes whether we like it not.