Smarty Pants

My friend has a problem. His son, who just started school, finds school BORING!!! I mean, yea, who doesn't. BUT this is a different case altogether. This 7-year old boy is LEAGUES ahead in terms of his knowledge. He finds Std 1 books too lame. So, he reads his brother's Std 5 books instead.

My niece is facing the same problem. She just started school and grumbles to her mom about how BORING school is. She keeps saying things like, "There's no homework!!" and "Why are they teaching me stuff I already know??". Of course she'd complain - she has been going to Kumon, Art, Drama and all sorts of classes since she was 3! She even knows how to operate a Palmtop and Apple computers, for goodness sake.

I find these as a HUGE problem. Our education system is, by nature, NOT flexible. There's a small cluster of people who are just brilliant. They could potentially be the next Einstein or Edison. But if the Education System does not recognize these kids, then, the country is on the losing end. There must be a system to pick these kids out, followed by a program that further progresses them. Keep them challenged, motivated and creative. Just like Malcolm (in the Middle) *hehe.

My friend's son was actually once identified by his teacher as being too 'advanced'. The follow-up program for the boy was best described with a quote from the teacher: "If you think you are too clever, go outside and play." So, that's what he did. Just like what Calvin (and Hobbes) would do ;-)

My thoughts on this topic bring certain respectable figures to mind. Bill Gates and Michael Dell are infamous for being college drop-outs. Mind you, I'm not saying that being a drop-out is good, but these are just 2 examples of a person who were way ahead in the life's survival game (more on this later), that they find school ultimately boring. Lucky thing, these gentlemen are exceptionally outstanding. But what about the other brilliant people out there with unrealized potential?

Well, in short, smarty-pants are the future. Education system should not ignore these fine breeds. Until then, it’s up to the parents to think of what’s best for them. Good luck! =)