"When a middle or high school teacher has a bright math student, and the teacher directs them towards competition math, it’s usually not because that’s the best option for the student. Rather, it’s the best option for the teacher. It gives the student something to do while creating minimal additional work for the teacher."
Agreed, my math high school teacher told a few of us "you don't need to take weekly tests, I know you will do well; instead here are more interesting competition problems you should try". It definitely kept us interested and motivated much better.
Kind of a dick statement