A school pays students cash for A grades. Engagement soars, but only wealthy families can afford tutors to qualify. Do you support the program?

Why this dilemma matters

Society dilemmas ask whose costs and whose voices count when no one wins everything. Choosing “Yes — rewarding achievement motivates all students, regardless of how they got there” prioritises long-term system health; choosing “No — paying for grades turns learning into a transaction and deepens inequality” gives more weight to short-term relief for some.

Worth asking yourself

• Whose interests should count more here, and why?
• Would you accept the outcome from the losing side?