How do we help improve the academic achievements of ‘average’ students?
According to Oxford dictionary (on Lexico.co, average is an amount, standard, level, or rate regarded as usual or ordinary.
In other words, an average student can be seen as someone in the middle order and rather than a ‘stupendous’ ranker.
However, it would be greatly beneficial for us, as a nation, to make provision for average students in terms of bursaries, student loans and scholarships.
Not every student is fated to find their great success in the world of academia; nonetheless, plenty of students succeed in a normal life situation and need the ultimate assistance just as the high performer.
It is therefore imperative to motivate both average and moderately able students.
Our system is more focused on top achievers and is neglecting average students.
We need to encourage students at all levels by making opportunities available for all categories of students.
EXPANSIVE THINKING
Average students can also do extraordinary things, be it in academia, or their professional or personal lives.
We lose a lot of people because we do not give them a chance.
Many students are turned down because they do not meet higher requirements and that can prove devastating.
Circumstances sometimes affect academic performance and consideration of this factor could prove vital.
Rejecting students out of hand may lead to some quitting or affect their morale.
For example, why can’t admission to university allow all students, irrespective of high performance, to qualify for aforementioned schemes.
Standardised tests do not always indicate the true intelligence of students.
Marsha Shaines, an independent college admission consultant at College Strategies notes that “just because a student did not excel in high school, it does not mean he/she would not excel in college”.
INCLUSIVITY
There are many successful and brilliant people in the world, who did not achieve fantastic results in their studies.
It is better to motivate than to discourage by depriving those who are trying of opportunities.
There are many graduates and students out there who do not meet certain job requirements but have an abundance of potential.
Against this background, I urge institutions and education planners to also consider better inclusivity for all students.
Also, that the employment market not only concentrate on top academic achievers alone, but on average students with potential growth as well. Combining work and study helps young people develop the skills needed in today’s job market.
- Emily Khoero Job works in the Ministry of Gender, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare. A founder of Good Girl Talk Namibia and a Yali alumna, she is passionate about women’s empowerment and youth development. The views expressed in this article are entirely her own and not related to her work.
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