School work and holidays

RECENT revelations by parents on how their children are being deprived by schools of their term breaks to complete projects or study for exams, or both, suggest the following:
- poor time management;
- over-zealous or too much teaching;
- not recognising the need for children to rest; and
- the belief that more is better.

The allotted curriculum time and term time should be adequate in imparting whatever knowledge students need without having to encroach on the students' holidays.
It's generally accepted that term time is sacrosanct and should not be siphoned off for non-educational purposes.

Why shouldn't the school vacation be likewise left alone for the benefit of the students?
There's much that the students can do during school holidays: reading outside school texts, travelling, playing sports, or just enjoying the respite, all of which can contribute to their learning and development.

Learning is supposed to be an enjoyable experience.To make it any less so by needless overloading and depriving our students of rest and recreation would be counter-productive.

Lee Seck Kay
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_547818.html

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'School holidays are the best time for students to learn.'
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School breaks important for catch-ups
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Tuition factor
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Adopt a balanced approach
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