The free rider problem

Letter February 09, 2020
Students studying in well-reputed institutions of the country have mastered the art of free riding

LAHORE: Students studying in well-reputed institutions of the country have mastered the art of free riding. Be it presentations, group work, teams participating in competitions; students want the reward without having to work hard. What is more upsetting is that students pretend to have put in the effort and fail to acknowledge that they are part of a group where they owe some contribution to their colleagues and team members’ hard work.

The fact of the matter is that these free riders are also ignorant. When you approach them and confront them on how they are doing things, they don’t seem to care because of their selfish nature. Not all groups and teams can be expected to have quid pro quo relationship. However, some students need to realise that groups are not always made on the merry foundation of friendship or rapport. Groups, teams, and collaborations are selected or chosen on the basis of merit at times, and mostly are expected to thrive on that very same footing. However, students have let their educational institutions down because of non-serious attitude and flawed work ethic. Extra-curricular activities are sometimes as important as academic group projects, and students in all settings must commit to their team goals to give it their best.

Sara Raza

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2020.

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