Online Reporter
ACCORDING to the schools calendar, the first term comes to an end next week with closing dates ranging from April 8-10 depending on the institutions.
The first term started on January 14 and ends after almost three months while holidays are set for a good month up to May 13 when the second term starts.
However, the school holiday is already in trouble because most schools have already sent notices to “exam classes” that they will be expected to attend MANDATORY lessons for at least two weeks.
These holiday lessons are for a fee, which is on top of what was paid as first term fees and also on top of what parents and guardians will fork out for the second term.
Already that is problematic as a significant number of parents are battling to settle fees on time and have to come up with payment plans.
Most of the targeted or affected students are only sitting for examinations in October-November.
What is worrying is that even before the first term has ended, schools have already felt the need to have extra lessons for “exam classes” despite the three months they have had for the first term.
Having this crisis as early as April suggests schools have already come up with a cash making strategy regardless of the progress made during the term.
Making it mandatory to all students betrays the essence of remedial lessons, which should affect only the individuals struggling to catch up with the rest of their respective classes.
Traditionally, schools and teachers were made to utilise the three months set aside for a term to complete the syllabus. There was never a need for compulsory holiday lessons.
Holidays must always be time for school children to rest given that their well-being is of importance.
We have always known that school calendars are structured into three terms per year and that means schools have enough time for structured learning, which accommodates holidays.
Holidays are meant for rest, family time, and extracurricular development for everyone involved, including the teaching staff as well.
It is generally accepted that turning school holidays into additional paid learning sessions not only burdens parents financially but also rob children of the necessary mental and physical recuperation they deserve.
Given how early these holiday lessons are being announced, of concern is that it suggests glaring inefficiencies in the education systems of today.
It also suggests that, despite the abundance of learning materials availed by technology, students of today are failing to grasp content.
If that is the case, is this due to poor teaching methods, an overloaded syllabus, or distractions within the school system?
We join hands with those that argue that instead of charging parents extra for lessons that should be part of the standard curriculum, schools should first evaluate how effectively they are utilising regular class time.
Critics correctly argue that overloading school children with continuous learning might cause burnouts and even reduce children’s enthusiasm for education in the long run.
We therefore share the cry that “Let holidays be what they were meant to be and that is a time to rest, recharge, and return for the next term ready to learn.”
If these holiday lessons are genuine, they should be both voluntary and free!
dyton mupawaenda