Polish Pedagogogue Warns: School Competition Harms Children

School Competition: A Polish Pedagogogue Warns of Unnecessary Pressure on Children In Poland, a seasoned educator with 30 years of experience is raising concerns about the negative effects of school-based competition on children's mental and emotional health. Joanna Białobrzeska, founder of the DIDASKO publishing house and school, shared her insights in a recent video. She illustrates her point with a relatable anecdote: "A child comes home and says, 'Mom, I got a three on my test.' The mother's immediate response is often to ask, 'And who else got a three?' This creates unnecessary pressure and anxiety." Białobrzeska argues that this focus on grades and relative ranking undermines children's intrinsic motivation and fosters unhealthy competition. She advocates for a more supportive and holistic approach to education, emphasizing the importance of individual progress and self-esteem. Her experience and expertise make her concerns particularly significant for parents and educators alike. The video has already garnered significant attention online, suggesting a widespread interest in this important issue.