I remember vividly when some students asked me before: "Mr Law, why must we take exams? Why cant we just study, finish the homework then move on to the next year? Exam is so irritating and troublesome." And the rest of the class will most likely agree in unison. In facing such a situation, as the teacher, my responsibility would be to disagree with the class.
Historically, the idea of examination originated from China during the Han Dynasty. It was introduced to allow meritocracy, aka a system based on peoples' abilities and knowledge. Imagine a society without such a system, the teacher teaching you History in class would be a school dropout at 11 years old; the lawyer who fights victims' cases used to be a a F9 student in English and the judge who converses in Hokkien pass the verdict "Li xi liao". A lot messier like this right?
I used to loathe studying, not to even mention exam. Like many students, I saw it as troublesome because there will be a period of time before the papers when I had to sacrifice: sacrifice my tv time, my sleep, my play and even my friends. Then I detested the idea of having to give up things I love for the things I hate. When I was in Sec 1 & 2, I didnt as well as I could have done.
As I mature, NOT GROW OLDER, I began to realise that such sacrifices are essential, for the better of the future. Yes you can enjoy life, enjoy your friends' company, enjoy the games on your computer and the mushy mushy sweet-talkings between the lovestruck couple on tv, but we cant enjoy ALL THE TIME. At this stage we can have less worries, but as we advance through the stages in life, we will eventually come to realise the importance of having done well in school while we were students. We cant change the fact that paper qualification is important for survival in our society, but we can choose to see it positively still. I see exams as challenges now, to attest that I had gained strength over the process of persuing something.
My dear students, examination is the end product of what you have learned. Studying is the process. Enjoy the process of learning and you will reap the fruits of your exams. Dont give up, dont be demoralised. Face this challenge bravely and with optimism. Mr Law is behind all of you.