Thumbs down for ‘gold stars’ for just showing up
Modern education practices of giving ‘rewards’ that are not merit-based undermines children’s development of commitment, persistence and resilience.
That’s according to CQUniversity’s Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Education Dr Ragnar Purje, who is the author of Responsibility Theory®.
Dr Purje believes practices like participation certificates and gold stars for everyone undermines the natural learnings that children discover through class activities, play and sport.
He says the research is clear and yet many of today’s educators are still employing outdated principles that could be doing more harm than good.
Dr Purje explained that instead of developing resilience in students, educators are contributing to entitlement behaviours that affect students’ expectations in the classroom and later on when they enter the workforce.
“Entitled individuals tend to struggle with setbacks and frequently blame external factors instead of taking personal responsibility for their attitude, choices and actions,” he explained.
CQUniversity’s Professor Ken Purnell believes schools should be fostering resilience over entitlement.
“We need to shift from rewarding mere participation to celebrating dedicated effort and real progress,” he said.
“True grit is earned, not given.
“Life demands grit. By prioritising perseverance and a growth mindset, we empower students to overcome obstacles, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Let's build a generation of problem-solvers, not praise-seekers. By fostering intrinsic motivation and celebrating the power of effort, we unlock students' full potential.
“It's time for a new approach to education.”
Dr Purje believes to cultivate individuals capable of constantly dealing with and overcoming challenges, and achieving long-term success, it is crucial to emphasise meaningful achievement over indiscriminate recognition.
“Only through genuine effort and perseverance can individuals develop the resilience needed to navigate the ongoing challenges and complexities of life,” he said.
