Repetition is a phenomenon that affects the educational field. It occurs when a student does not pass a school year satisfactorily and as a result is forced to repeat the year again. Although the word repetition is not recognized by the DRAE, it is a word in common use, especially used in Latin America. It should be noted that in Spain this name is not used and it is referred to in other ways (grade repetition is the most widespread name).
Why does the repetition occur?
There is no single reason that explains this phenomenon, so a series of causes that produce it can be provided:
- There are students with learning difficulties and they cannot achieve the academic objectives.
- Sometimes the cause is not related to the abilities of the student, but to their personal circumstances. It must be taken into account that certain family problems or certain social environments can have a negative impact on school results.
- Children and adolescents are especially sensitive and do not always adapt to academic programs. They may have some kind of emotional maladjustment, experience bullying or other problems and all this ends up affecting their performance.
Ratings on repetition
From a social perspective, repetition represents a failure of the educational system. In some countries, repetition rates are high and this is accompanied by a series of implications (classrooms with a high number of repeaters, groups of students with different ages sharing the same classroom, or the need to incorporate specific educational programs for these students).
If we think of the repeater student, we must take into account how this situation can affect him: it can be a stimulus to correct his lack of interest in studies or, on the other hand, it can affect him psychologically and consider himself a failure. In other words, repetition is sometimes a good solution to correct some gaps in knowledge acquisition, but it can also be problematic.
From a pedagogical point of view there is no general consensus on the advisability of repetition. According to some approaches, it is a necessary evil, that is, it is a formula that allows the student to have a second academic chance. On the contrary, other experts in education understand that repetition is not desirable and should be avoided at all costs, so it is necessary to incorporate alternative mechanisms (with support teachers or specific adaptation programs for students who do not achieve the desirable objectives ).
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