Hundreds of secondary schools are using a controversial reward scheme which “bribes” (贿赂)pupils with iPods and DVD players to turn up in classes and do homework.
Almost one million schoolchildren have been issued with supermarket-style reward cards which allow them to collect good-behavior “points” and cash them in for prizes.
Schools taking part in the “Vivo Miles” scheme are spending several thousand pounds a year in an attempt to cut truancy (逃学) and promote achievements. The prizes are ultimately funded by the taxpayer, through school budgets. Nearly 500 secondary schools, one in six, have decided to take part in the scheme, which is intended to replace old-style rewards such as stickers and golden stars.
But the extent of rewards being offered in schools brought a warning that a generation of children is growing up expecting to be rewarded at every stage. Many youngsters are collecting points for ordinary achievements such as remembering to bring their PE kit and wearing the correct uniform.
Under the scheme, teachers award Vivo points—worth 1 penny each—according to the school’s policy. Schools typically spend￡4 to￡6 on prizes per pupil each year, although some commit considerably more. Most pupils accumulate between 400 and 600 Vivos a year. Vivo Miles insists it is “pretty rare” for a pupil to accumulate enough points to buy an iPod, which requires 3,100 Vivos.
But Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the scheme amounted to “bribery”. “It misleads children into thinking anything which requires effort has to have a special reward,” he said. “This ‘all must have prizes’ view is damaging to children in the long-term.” The scheme amounted to an “admission of failure” by schools. He said. “It shows a school has failed to convince children education is important.”
小题1:The “Vivo Miles” scheme is aimed at ______________.
A．increasing the income of the school
B．encouraging students to perform well at school
C．inviting more students to attend the school nearby
D．encouraging parents to donate to the school小题2:The underlined word “controversial” in the first paragraph can be replaced by __________.
A．arguable
B．practical
C．strange
D．mature小题3:Those who oppose the “Vivo Miles” scheme think ______________.
A．it helps control the problem of truancy
B．it teaches children the importance of saving
C．it will mislead children about efforts and rewards
D．it’s not easy to get more than 600 Vivos a year小题4:What’s the writer’s attitude towards the scheme?
A．Supportive.
B．Opposed.
C．Unconcerned.
D．Objective.