CHILDHOOD RARITIES

A few years ago the press and media spent about a week discussing the 'Abused Child', and it occurred to me that teachers occasionally have a pupil not easily categorisedthe 'Perfect Student or the opposite type - the 'Dreamy One'.

- BY GOOLBAI GUNASEKARA

Such rarities are never discussed except in the Staff Room or else at Staff Meetings. No one writes articles about them. No one wonders how this phenomenon comes about. A near-child genius, or the alternate non-achiever, does not command the same media attention as cases of child abuse these days. I will deal now with the first category - the ideal pupil.

Teachers gladly award prizes and write glowing remarks about such children in Report Cards. They greatly enjoy the pleasure of having such talent in their care. Such pupils make a teacher's day brighter So I am going to discuss two cases of children who were outstanding from Baby Class to University Entrance Class and who managed the near impossible task of being a constant delight. This is not always the case. Such exceptionally talented children can be conceited. My first example is Saki (not her real name of course). She was brought to my special attention when she was in Grade Two and had constructed a lovely little cardboard and paper Christmas Creche for the class display.