US students get cash for grades

In the United States, it has become common for students to be paid for going to class and achieving good grades.

School authorities can give cash, iPods, meal vouchers and even flat-screen televisions to high achievers. Typically, where learn-and- earn schemes operate, pupils are paid $100 for each pass grade in exams.

Critics have denounced this type of programme as de facto bribery of children who should instead be taught the value of learning for its own sake.

While these schemes are becoming increasingly popular, recent research has shown that the schemes have not been particularly successful. A study by Harvard University of pupils in New York and Chicago found no evidence that paying students inspired them to do better in exams.

Irish Independent