A False Hope

OUR GRADES CAN’T help but join the trend of rocketing prices. As if the concerns brought by inflation isn’t enough, I have to worry about its friend creating trouble in my academics. I, for one, think that grade inflation is only a fool’s paradise that hides a more bothersome issue.

I am puzzled with the rate of increase in the general average. With a higher average, an enhanced performance is expected. But the improvement is barely evident and the increase in grades doesn’t align with the current performance.

Grade inflation isn’t a new concept, it has been present since the 90s. But the pandemic has greatly contributed to its acceleration, with teachers giving leniency amidst online learning and following the “No Fail Policy” set by the school. With the expectations that come with being a student at a regional science high school, what’s so bad about receiving a high grade?

Everyone is striving for it. With the workload we are subjected to, a few extra points are what we deserve. Moreover, in a world that was swarmed with the uncertainties and adversities of COVID-19, we couldn’t possibly give our studies the same effort as we did. Grade inflation was a lifeline for us, struggling students, in the pandemic.

Although now that we are transitioning back into the norm, I can’t see the point of continuing this inflated system. Having this aid every time won’t allow us to grow in a learning environment. We shouldn’t keep relying on this system since it only normalizes mediocrity and downright unfair to those who put in effort.

If everyone receives high marks regardless of their work, what’s the point of giving them out in the first place? Students can become complacent once they realize that their effort plays an insignificant role in determining their grades. It didn’t sit right with me that I got the same set of grades as someone who exerted a lot of effort when I did the bare minimum. It ruins the essence of academic competence, and it makes the reward for superior performance less desirable, which ultimately leads to reduced motivation.

It can also affect your chances in college applications. When a school inflates its student’s grades, other schools will be more inclined to do the same. When grades are one of the basis of your acceptance, this results in a smaller distinction among the application pool, making it harder to get in.

Once we get accustomed to this system, a seemingly average grade will be viewed as terrible. We got used to this veil of false confidence and when it is lifted, we are disappointed to see the reality. It sets us up for failure in the long run — after all, undeserved grades that went up, will ultimately go down.

Grade inflation can be reversed by transitioning to a more generalized standard of grading, slowly rebuilding the system imposed to us students. Teachers shouldn’t keep on curving test scores to raise someone’s grade. Furthermore, student’s shouldn’t be allowed to negotiate their final grade.

Celebrating that, if not all, most of us got honored recognitions isn’t a bad thing. Although we must understand that there’s so much more to it — from the flawed grading system to the misleading perception that everyone is doing well. It is important that we recognize the concealed problem of grade inflation.

Inflation in general is tough to battle, it has tenacity and will always find a way back into our society. But with a serious intention to stop it and with everyone on the same page, its eradication can be accomplished! ■

Jace Adriel Yap

It is not long since the renovation of the school’s comfort room was finished, by which each student was required to pay five hundred pesos as a contribution. Although there were no complaints received since it was considered as a GPTA project, we should not diminish the fact that it is still a large sum for some, considering that BRSHS is a public school, which should be funded by the government.

“I think it is okay sometimes to be part of the improvement of the school infrastructures through contribution but recently the school contributions were just so pricey knowing that we are still under the pandemic as well as high inflation rate among commodities,” said Caleb Ramirez, a grade 11 student, when asked about his opinions regarding the school contributions.

The weight of these contributions consequently affected our families’ budget especially in the light of the effects of the occurring economic crisis to the spendings of each. Considering how the Philippines’ education sector has the highest proposed budget this year, the need to pass the burden of the school fees to the students would really keep us skeptical.

It is fair to say that the proposed confidential funds don’t meet the primary concerns of the education sector of the country. It is alarming that even a department that should cater to a learning-centered vision is now being threatened by anomalies brought by politicians.

The declining trend in the education system is meant to dismantle the country and the lack of access to proper education should be the main issue that they should pay attention to. If anything, educational reform should be their number one priority as of now. ■