Do Olympiads Provide Competition? Discuss

    • Joeanna Rebello Fernandes
    • Publish Date: Dec 18 2016 12:43PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Dec 18 2016 12:43PM
Do Olympiads Provide Competition? Discuss

To Give Kids A Competitive Edge, Parents Are Enrolling Them In All Kinds Of Private Olympiads. The Result: A Booming O-economy That Peddles Coaching Classes And Sample Test Books

Last week, some of the world's brainiest pre-university students were preparing to battle it out in Bhubaneshwar at the 10th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics, around the same time, a couple of hundred first graders across the country were sharpening their pencils for their very first science 'Olympiads'. The two competitions, save their common title, are galaxies apart: the former is the original, government-supported international competition; the latter is a commercial test.
 
But it is the private 'Olympiads' in Math, Science, English and even Informatics that have swept the country in an academic avalanche.

Here's what's happening: 

Private organisations, twigging the aspirations of parents to see their children do well in a world built on competi tive exams, have set out to give them what they want -an early start.These firms typically conduct their exams through schools (if 10 or more students per school sign up), and have even emerged as an alternative to the no-examcontinuous assessment model. While the tests are optional, an increasing number of kids, some as young as six, have been sitting them.

What the parents say
 
Gunjan Chaudhri feels her kids, who are in grades 1 and 4, sit competitive exams so that they know what a competition is like at a ÿoung age." She is not alone. Many parents concur the same thoughts. 
 
 
How wide is the rage
 
So widespread that children attend special classes to prepare. Shail Kapur tutors 16 children, from grades one to five, for English Olympiads. "It helps with comprehension skills, grammar and vocabulary," says Kapur. She says self-study with Olympiad reference books is tough and children need help.
 
Silver Zone Foundation, a 14-year-old Olympiad company, rakes in 50% of its revenues from book sales and the rest from exam registration fees (at Rs 120 per student). Close to a million kids from 5,000 schools have been sitting their Olympiads every year, claims CEO Kamal Kishore. “We even have students from abroad,“ he says. Silver Zone's 3-step Olympiads -school, national and international levels -offer participants a variety of rewards. From a certificate of participation, to prizes like wrist watches, tablets, a purse of Rs 1 lakh, and educational excursions abroad for the top two winners.

“Even when students don't win, their confidence grows," explains Vikash Anil, a Bengaluru-based programmer who runs Olympiad Helper, an online tutorial company. 
 
So in a way, the exams yoke students to books published by the exam-setting company .

What's happening further
 
Anxious to democratise the trend, the education technology firm Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd (MNCL) floated the Maharashtra Olympiad Movement, to raise the bar on math and science learning in the state. “We realised the Olympiad movement had stopped short of small towns and villages,“ says Uday Panchpor, senior GM at MNCL. They claim to have tied up with 12,000 government and aided schools, and have had 1.75 lakh students sit the exams in 7 years.

Parents are being misled
 
“It is a misrepresentation to call a competition an Olympiad if it has no culmination on an international stage," says Anwesh Mazumdar, national coordinator, Science Olympiads. He argues that the original science Olympiads -the first was in Maths held in Romania in 1959 -pursue nobler goals of intellectual inquiry. “These companies should not call it an 'Olympiad'; call it a competition if necessary. For example, the International Mathematical Olympiad is the real deal, but Science Olympiad Foundation, a private organisation, has an exam called the International Mathematics Olympiad. Parents are misled and even the international organisers are concerned," says Mazumdar, adding that they have contemplated patenting the name.
 

 
Tell us in the comment below your thoughts on the following:
 
When was your first Olympiad exam? Did you give it out of your choice or because your parents wanted you to?
According to you, what should be the right age for a child to appear for such exams?
How do you differentiate between what Olympiad exam is good for you?

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Comments

Ritvik Baweja BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

Well I gave my first Olympiad when I was in 5th grade, I feel that it was an early age to compete in such exam as there was no need for me to give it then. But my parents wanted me to appear in it and get exposure to high level question. It was indeed a new experience for me

Ritvik Baweja BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (PITAM PUR

The right age for appearing in such competitive exams and Olympiads is 9th Class. Before that it''s not necessary for a child to get overburdened by cracking these Olympiads. A child should enjoy his childhood and not confined to studying for higher level exams at an early age. As 9th Grade is a foundation has for higher studies so it''s appropriate time to test your mental and aptitudeskills. Parents should never force their child to give external exams.

TAVISHA ARORA dav public school

i gave my olympiad first in 5 . because i use to give such types of exams . it was my choice

TAVISHA ARORA dav public school

right age for it should be from starting as it provides a good base for students to enhance their knowledge .

TAVISHA ARORA dav public school

right age for it should be from starting as it provides a good base for students to enhance their knowledge .

P S Geethanjali Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan S.V Vidyalaya

My first Olympiad exam I ever wrote is in my 6th class.In my school,they leave children every Saturday at noon but students who payed for competitive exams should stay till 4:30 pm and teachers teach only Olympiad syllabus then.There used to be a lot of students participating.All my friends used to go so even I thought why shouldn''t I give it a try and started writing the exams.Even to this date,I write Olympiad exams even If I had changed my school and there is no extra coaching here.

P S Geethanjali Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan S.V Vidyalaya

I think It depends on the mindset of the children.Any child shouldn''t be forced to write these. I think these competitive exams are to be taken serious but we need to study whole hearted with fun and happiness added to it.Then we can definitely get a good rank.If parents force us,It would be like a burden for the kids as they don''t like to and finally this impact would be on the ranks or marks.But I think every child should attend a competitive exam after crossing 8th.

Onkarpreet Bhavan Vidyalaya

I was in class 3 when I appeared for the English Olympiad. It all depends. Competing in such tests, provides you a head start. You get to know things out of your textbook. You get to know what you actually know. However, there shouldn''t be compulsion. It should be up to the child, if he wishes to do extra at a young age.

Onkarpreet Bhavan Vidyalaya

However, when we reach in classes 7th and 8th, I really think these Olympians are good to be a part of. Questions in these exams are all application based. You have to apply all those concepts you''ve been studying at class, and solve the questions.

Onkarpreet Bhavan Vidyalaya

To add on, I really think those ranks and medals and cash prizes act as a source of more inspiration. You want to win those accolades, which makes you participate more. You perform better, you win.

Bhavana Jaison Atomic Energy Central School No 2

Olympiad exams will definitely help you to get extra leg of knowledge and i felt it''s good . My parents never compelled me to take up exams . They always says if I can crack it down, go ahead and not to pressurise myself.

KSHITIJ SHAH AMANORA PUBLIC SCHOOL AMANORA PUBLI

Olympiads are of great importance.They are not only helpful for the present class but also they give us an idea of the competitive exams of future.

JIYA TOMAR B G S NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

My first Olympiad exam was in perhaps 2011.At that point of time I frankly, gave it only since I was asked to and not because I really wanted to. And, to me the apt age for a child to write the Olympiads should be about 10. This is as no wonder one of us might be a child prodigy and could become great personalities by just writing these competitive exams and further edifying ourselves.

JIYA TOMAR B G S NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

And to add on, these are indeed quite competitive since even between the First and Second ranks for instance in your mere zone, there could be a lot of variation in marks or even vice versa . So, although these are inter - linked a little to our actual syllabus, they tend to prepare for the greater side of knowledge- true knowledge of that specific subject.

JIYA TOMAR B G S NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

However, I would also say that if one is really interested in cracking them at a younger age then it shall be their choice at the go and not a particular age restriction. But, yes one shall not be compelled to do so , for not everyone maybe riveted in the same kind of examinations.

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

I first appeared for an olympiad when I was in Class IV. I gave it out of my choice as I wanted to see what competitive exams are about. I think that today this materialistic world wants smart kids who have a competitive spirit. So, I think that form grade V-VI, a student should start giving olympiads so that ze will build a competitive spirit and can perform better in Class IX-X.

SNEHA - R Kulapati munshi bhavan's vidhya mandir

I appeared for my first olympiad examination when I was in class 3. It was my choice to appear for the social science olympiad as I was very much interested in social.There is no fixed age at which a child can appear for olympiads as it is the mentality and willingness of the child that matters, parents should not force their children to appear for olympiads.I usually appear for olympiads that suits my interests and strong points, like for some particular subjects like english and social.

Hafsa Malwat F D SCHOOL

I haven''t given any Olympiad exams. Because I don''t want to run in rodent race. But I want to do something innovative. I don''t want to on the way , where anyone has already gone. But I want to make my own way. My younger brother has given this exam many times. Not because of my parents force.

Hafsa Malwat F D SCHOOL

Olympiads are good for anyone for their knowledge. Everyone should give this types of exams. And the right age to give this exam is 12-13 years. When a child can understand any thing. And also comes to know -what is competition.

ojasvi agrawal amity international school

I appeared for my first Olympiad when I was in class 1.From the very starting I was interested in such kind of competitions and their shocking results.I think the right age for such competitions differ as per the persons interest in the certain field.

ojasvi agrawal amity international school

Such Olympiads sometimes may play a very major role in the lives of toppers and for someone who really deserves it. This enhances the learning skills of students who really want to learn new things through the means of such exams.

Jessica Kabuli CARMEL CONVENT SCH SEC 9 CHD

Olympiads give students a sense of competitiveness along with a stage to unleash their talent and IQ level. The acknowledgement given to the achievers is an incentive for them and an inspiration for the others who missed the top slot. Yes, it has become a well-accepted business but the point is they aren''t forcing anyone to participate. And for the fact that kids go to tuitions for Olympiads, it''s great because there is no use of participanting if it''s not with some wholehearted hardwork.

Jessica Kabuli CARMEL CONVENT SCH SEC 9 CHD

Olympiads give students a sense of competitiveness along with a stage to unleash their talent and IQ level. The acknowledgement given to the achievers is an incentive for them and an inspiration for the others who missed the top slot. Yes, it has become a well-accepted business but the point is they aren''t forcing anyone to participate. And for the fact that kids go to tuitions for Olympiads, it''s great because there is no use of participanting if it''s not with some wholehearted hardwork.

Aadrit Banerjee Apeejay School Salt Lake

It was in class 5. I appeared out of my choice. According to me the right age for a child to sit for such exams should be 9 years and above....that is when one is class 5 or so. Making children appear in these exams at a tender age is of no use. Inducing competitiveness at a young age also has other adverse effects. At first I appeared for all 4 olympiads conducted by the SOF. Then I judged myself and now I only appear for the science olympiad conducted by SOF.

Bhavesh HAPPY MODEL SCHOOL(JANAKPURI)

Well, I gave my first Olympiads when I was in 6th grade of Maths. According to me it was a good age for giving such type of competitive exams. I gave my first olympiads not under the force of my parents. But they thought that this(6th grade) is a good age for giving such exams. When I attempt the ques of Olympiads,I reliased that these ques are very good and they help me to scores good marks in school also. There are three section of ques paper :- Maths, Mental ability and scholars zone.

Bhavesh HAPPY MODEL SCHOOL(JANAKPURI)

For giving olympiads or other external exams, there is no force of parents. Parents can only give idea that they only those subjects which they like and in which they can do best. From six grade we get an idea what we do for carrier and from 9 we go to follow according to our aim. So it''s good to give these type of exams from sixth grade.

Harshita Ranawat SHRI RAM SHIKSHA MANDIR

Very probably, my first Olympiad exam was in 6th standard. To a great extent, my parents wanted me to give it and it was a bit my choice too. According to me, the right age for a child to appear for such exams is 12 onwards so that the child can be mentally prepare for exams to be held in future. Olympiad exams provide a good base for students to enhance their knowledge and also it give them new experience.

Bhavya Shah Gopi Birla Memorial School - Walkeshwar

The first Olympiad or how I more broadly call it, competitive examination, was the Institue for Promotionf of Mathematics (IPM) All India Maths Scholarship Examination in my third grade. I have never been forced or coaxed into any event, activity or competition by my parents, because I am myself very enthusiastic about preparing for and striving to win extra-curricular competitions, including Olympiads. My exposure has been more towards quizzes, elocution competitions and Model UN conferences.

Bhavya Shah Gopi Birla Memorial School - Walkeshwar

However, in the several Olympiads I have happened to participate in over the years, I have always learnt something new and had a productive experience. In my opinion, out-of-school events such particularly like Olympiads should be strongly encouraged and highly recommended to aspiring young students, because it provides an opportunity to look beyond the school syllabus, a habit that should be cultivated at the foundational period.

Bhavya Shah Gopi Birla Memorial School - Walkeshwar

Acolades and prizes build a student’s confidence and ignite a healthy competitive spirit. I also am of the belief that students should be open towards all kinds of Olympiads from Maths to Social Science when in the primary section (say till 5th grade) with a view of curiosity and willingness to learn, and eventually identify one’s specific subjects and topics of interests and focus, seriously prepare for, and win competitive examinations related to that field.

Siddh Jain K.D.Field Public School

I gave my first Olympiad in 5 class.Since I never got such opportunity but that was my choice.Right age is whenever you think you''re prepared for such Olympiads.

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