10 mark questions

This is what ancestors of a good idea look like. [Photo by Julia Maior on Unsplash]

Long before we even tried to understand how an economy works, we became familiar with the currency of performance. From kindergarten onwards, we were taught that good performance led to good marks in academics. In extracurricular activities, this translated to certificates, medals and trophies. Basically, there is an output for every input. A clear-cut value system. If there was a #1 in the classroom, there was going to be #2 and then #3 and then so on. One fellow, most often boy than a girl, was bound to be last on the list. At a very young age, we were made aware of these distinctions. We may not understand why the world rolled the way it did, but inside a school, there were laws in place, and we adhered to them.

In a way, our first ever currency was marks. Something you scored by appearing in written and oral exams. In your favourite subjects, you made big. In your not-so-favourite ones, you wobbled like a drunk pirate in rough sea. Throughout your schooling life, you face challenges and you try your best to score the highest possible marks.

Good grades matter, they told you.