Инглиш / Rebko

A Controversial Aspect of Education

This year in our country there have been discussed many important questions in education sphere. One of them is the validity of the 10-point grading system and the necessity of coming back to the 5-point one. In Soviet times there was the 5-point grading system during the whole period of studying. Since 2002 Belarussian system of education has been changed into the 10-point system. This question has not been raised for fifteen years. Each of this system has its pros and cons. That is why there are adherents and opponents of these systems both.

The adherents of the 10-point grading system based on some arguments. Firstly, a mark of the 10-point system lets a teacher to identify more types of children. This system helps to divide good pupils on just good and successful, hard-working and lazy. And it helps to identify retarded and not motivated pupils among weak ones. Secondly, the quantity of good marks is raised for pupils. Usually good marks mean 4 and higher. Thirdly, it is easier for teachers to assess the work that pupils have done.

The opponents of the 10-point grading system claims that it is hard to explain the difference why one pupil has a “seven” and the other has a “six” in this system. The border between marks is very subjective. Another positive aspect of the 5-point grading system is the simplicity of usage and calculations. Nevertheless, from my point of view the 10-point grading system is more fair and impartial.

Taking everything in consideration, we can see that there are advantages and disadvantages of these two systems. It is not clear who is right so to conclude it must be said that it is possible to teach either in a 10-point grading or in 10-point grading systems. A system is not the main point in education, it is much more important the knowledge that are given to pupils and students.