Eradicating favoritism in schools

This refers to the letter (“Favoritism in schools,” Oct. 20) in which a student has narrated how favoritism is affecting and hurting many deserving students.
It is heart-rending to learn that the students are anguished and are looking for justice and has prompted them to air grievances in public.
Favoritism is not new, and it is taking place especially in community schools. The Sri Lankan International School, Riyadh, is also no exception. A teacher’s pet, or the children of parents on board or committee, gets priority in curricular activities, sports and even academic prizes at the awards ceremony. Many prefects are chosen not on merit alone, but based on a long list of elder siblings being past head prefects. Even awards based on a marking system is given to those whose parents are familiar with the staff concerned, giving them lifts, meals and such coded bribes.
The student has rightly pointed out that awarding such medals and selections based on anything other than merits kills talent and brilliance and does not bring about the best in a child. Let us hope we can start setting a trend of eradicating favoritism. — A parent, Riyadh