The Edmundian : How high school elitism has created a generation of entitled man children.

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“S E S for St.Edmund’s. 

Leaders in every field !” 

 

The entire assembly of about a thousand boys between the age of 6 to 16 loudly sang the school 

anthem. We were taught to be proud of this anthem, for the legacy it resonated with; a legacy we 

had now become a part of.  To be an Edmundian was a matter of pride.We were taught that we were

 the best- the brightest students, the most accomplished athletes and the suavest personalities.As 

young impressionable boys we bought into the hype; that somehow the school our parents had worked 

so hard to get us admitted into as unassuming children was a testament to our own talents.We were 

convinced that we are a cut above the rest.

Few leave school and outgrow this attitude; most never do.




The power of the brand is such an incredible force in the modern day. Everything from the clothes on your back to the degree hanging on your wall becomes an indicator of who you are, your intelligence, competence- your suitability as a mate, a friend or an employee. It defines your worth. Make no mistake, I see the value in the system, simply by a law of averages, a more well groomed man is usually a more sorted individual, a degree from a better university is usually indicative of a more hardworking and smarter student and future employee and a better school suggests a child got the right environment in his formative years to grow and flourish into a well adjusted adult. 


But the system is a double edged sword,especially given elitism in Indian schools, many of which suffer from a deep rooted colonial hangover from an empire of a different era.The hang on to tradition and an air of stoic contempt. I saw and experienced this first hand and I'm as much  a product of this system as most. I graduated with an air of entitlement, I was an Edmundian and it was my God given right to succeed just like the many who came before me.I was fortunate enough to end up in the right environment with a group of extremely bright and talented people who kicked all of my elitist airs right out of me, many aren't as lucky or open to humility.

 

And I genuinely worry for them.

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