Graded Hearts

Prologue

Leighlagh's PoV

I can hear my own heart beat while waiting for the coin to land. I silently wished, while my hands are in fist, that the coin will reveal a head. I have to win this, one way or another. I have to win this fight no matter what.

My shoulder fell down in total disappointment. It was a tail. Which means my opponent has the power to choose the side. Luck didn't favored me.

Not again.

I shifted my gaze on my opponent. It was Alekhine Xenon Lim. The known prime student of Harlstone International Academy. My rival since junior high school.

Kalma at prente itong nakatayo habang nakikinig sa anunsyo. I know he just wanted to annoy me. With his actions, it was hell out effective, beause now, I'm starting to get pissed at his presence.

"Your final topic is. Is the grading and ranking system in our school effective?" the discussion moderator announced. Tss. Simple topic. I was slightly disappointed. I thought they would dig into more complex like physics or politics.

I keep eyeing on Alekhine while waiting for his choice. Anong side kaya ang pipiliin nito? Knowing him, he would certainly choose the side that he'll surely win.

He met my gaze and smirked. I felt my every being boiled. He's really a conceited jerk. Kahit kailan talaga hindi mawala-wala ang pagiging hambog nito.

"I'll choose no. It's ineffective." He stated. I half-smiled and raised my right brow. Good. I wanted the side intended for me.

Yes, it's effective.

The discussion moderator had a few words before starting. Alekhine is going to explain his side first. Finally, something favored me. Malalaman ko kung saan ako aatake.

Many students cheered when Alekhine put the micrphone on. I rolled my eyes. Kahit kailan talaga pasikat ang lalaking yan.

"A grading and ranking system is a method used by school to assess students. It showcases our performance and how well we do in school. But if I were them saying were they effective? They are not. Our school grading and ranking system promotes competition rather than true learning and cooperation. Grades don't define intelligence nor the knowledge gained. Our ranking system makes the learning environment toxic. Instead of students trying to help each other to learn and reach the highest they can together, they are all super secretive and never actively help someone else."

Time is up. Time for me to speak.

"I agree on Mr. Lim that our system promotes competition. But we live in a competitive world, full of competitions. If we don't practice it in our learning environment, how would we expect that we can survive in a real world? So I stand, yes, our grading and ranking system is effective. It helps us strive for better. It increases our interest to do something better than others. It pushes us to do our best, not just good enough, the best. Our kind of system prepares us in situations of all kinds. It teaches us to bounce back from failure and respond positively to pressure and challenges, then adapt to move forward towards greater success. We need to learn to handle looses and pick up our broken pieces so that we can grow."

I saw few students clapping their hands. One of them was Alice, my oh-so-called bestfriend. I don't like her by the way, but I don't have a choice but to stick to her. She gave me a thumbs up saying I was doing good. Great even. I have a feeling that I will win this. For the first time in a long time, I will beat Alekhine Xenon Lim.

I half smiled at that thought while waiting for him to rebut.

"According to the study of Terry Lam, many researchers state that competition damages the learning process by forcing students to focus on goals instead of focusing on the process itself. They also argue that the stress to which students are exposed has negative effects. Competition can harm mental health and lead to feelings of inability and instability. It can cause students to overwork and overexert for grades while compromising interests and exctracurricular activities leading to an unbalanced life. A student may be good at dancing, but weak in math. A student may be good at skating, but poor when it comes to science and economics. They could have excelled in their passion, but they were force to focus their selves on academics. Because our system have taught us, that if you are in bottom rank...you're nothing. Isn't this a total discrimination? A discrimination that could lead to depression, or worse, suicide. "