Band 6+: Some people believe that children should be taught to be competitive in school, while others think they should be taught to cooperate. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Unquestionably, every coin has two sides and so are the people. Society’s people are divided into two groups and therefore, the responsibility of teaching children how to be good citizens has become a topic of debate among people. This essay will compare and contrast both of the opinions along with my opinion, which is in the favour of the former view, and will be discussed in a sensible conclusion.

Initiating with the points supporting the first school of thought, firstly, schools are structured environments where children learn social norms, discipline, and teamwork from an early age. The people who support this say that, since children spend a major portion of their day at school, it becomes the ideal place to instil civic values and responsibilities. Secondly, schools have trained professionals who can effectively teach children about good citizenship through subjects like social studies and moral science. In fact, many schools organize community service activities which help students develop empathy and a sense of responsibility. As a consequence, children become more aware of their role in society and learn to behave in a socially acceptable manner.

On its contrasting side, people who hold another viewpoint say that moral and civic education should start at home since parents are a child’s first teachers. They believe that, values such as honesty, kindness, and respect are best taught through parental guidance and daily interactions. Furthermore, parents can provide real-life examples and correct their children’s behavior instantly, which helps to reinforce good habits. In addition, a child’s home environment plays a crucial role in shaping their long-term character and moral foundation.

To conclude, I would like to say that, although both schools and homes play a role in teaching children how to be good citizens, I believe that schools are better equipped and more consistent in delivering this important aspect of education. However, it will depend upon the mindsets of the people that which view they are in favour of.