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Benjamin [inactive] · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

I don't think I could support that kind of scheme.

However, in this country there does exist a system whereby young people from lower income families receive money every week if they choose to stay at school or go to college from the ages of 16 to 18. This is intended to encourage people to stay in education rather than leave to find a job, and I am not opposed to this.

KSa · Langcaffeine Addict Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 560

I think that may prompt “good” pupils to pretend they are dull at mathematics to receive money.

Elaine · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

I think it's stupid and shameful. So now we have to resort to paying students to study what they're supposed to be studying anyway?????

Uriel · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

Doesn't bother me at all. I mean, it may sound a little crass on the surface, but it's realistic. After all, money is the incentive you will use later on in life to push you to learn new job skills so that you can get promoted, and it's the lure of money that gets you through college, that somehow your education will translate into $$$ after graduation. And if it makes kids into better students and gets them enthused about their subjects, so much the better.
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KSa · Langcaffeine Addict Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 560

Walker · Moderator Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 756

I had a classmate whose parents payed him money to get good grades, and that never seemed right to me. I don't think that children should be offered money to do things they're supposed to be doing anyway. For instance, I never understood how some parents can pay their kids to babysit their younger siblings, and how kids can demand money for doing so. Babysitting your younger siblings, at least from time to time, is something you just do. For sure, some children need extra help in school, and they should get help. That's "help", not "money". They will learn soon enough that life is about money anyway.

Uriel · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:21 am Post subject:

It was a fairly common practice for my classmates when I was little to earn money for good grades -- often it was $20 for every A, $10 for B's, etc. And that was from their parents. So I guess it's just not a shocking concept for me. Mine never did it, unfortunately -- or I would have made bank....

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Loic · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:29 am Post subject:

My parents used to give me a little monetary reward as well that is directly related to the number of As I had. As such, I lack the moral authority to condemn such an initiative although such a scheme strikes me as dubious in principle.

Children are immature by definition - they cannot think for themselves. If dangling the financial carrot before them encourages them to apply themselves, I cannot conceivably oppose such a measure. I can still recall how the prospect of earning a tip from my parents motivated me to spend much more time swotting than socialising. Mind you, I was already a ahem...'good' student who only merely needed that extra something to revv his engine. I do not believe in paying students to go to school though; it should be the reverse.
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KSa · Langcaffeine Addict Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 560

Uriel · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject:

This is true, and I think the real differnece comes from parents taking responsibility for their children's eduaction, rather than assuming it's the teacher's job. That would probably work far better than getting out the checkbook.

However, not every parent is going to be willing or able to do that, and not every child is going to respond to the same stimulus. Good lord, my half-sister was tutored rigorously after school by her father for years, and is still a vague, so-so student with no plans to go on to college, because she honestly wouldn't be able to handle it. So you need to have options available to you, and more than one way to skin that cat. I say whatever motivates a child to take an interest and works is justifiable, even if it's not the method I would choose. Education is such a key component of success that whatever it takes is worth it.
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An apple a day....