They are run more like business organizations now than ever! The last I heard from a friend was that the teacher from a famed school in Singapore actually wanted a student (my friend's daughter who was studying in high-school) to drop one of her subjects almost at the end of the term simply because she was doing some B or C grades in her tests! The reason cited was that she might drag down the average of the school as a whole! Boy, that's totally insane! Principles of schools are now competing among themselves so that they can boast that their schools are getting the best grades in the country? Whatever for? To get better funding?!



Reminded me of the recent events surrounding Iceland, Greece and perhaps even United States! Standard & Poor's ratings and austerity measures! 

Society's grading system is getting a little out of hand, imho. Granted, countries not honoring their debts are special cases. But, when it comes to schools, it seems that grades are more what the educators are after rather than education! Many graduates (be it high school or university) are not street smart and possibly ill prepared for the jobs they have been hired to do these days. Instead, they are great at "beating the system" by passing examinations and going through interviews!

As for my friend, her daughter was smart enough to have the principle talked to her mom. She didn't drop the subject and ended up getting an A ultimately. She now works for Price Waterhouse as an accountant!