Utilizing the school vacations

31.JULY.09

With school examinations out of the way and Carnival a fading memory, the long vacation is now in full swing. Pupils and students of all ages are trying to make the best of it in their own ways, taking advantage of the opportunity to rest tired young minds and engage in some form of recreation. For most parents, though, this is definitely not the time when minds get any rest, for there is a lot of stress involved in preparing for the new school term in September.{{more}} The same can be said of educational authorities, on whose shoulders lie the responsibility for making sure that the enabling environment is there, come September.

Those charged with running the Ministry of Education have no small task, and are often the butt of strong criticism. Not that some of these are undeserved, but just as we are very vocal when they fall short, so, too, we ought to be appreciative for those things they get right and must not shy away praising those initiatives which do work. The schools’ book-loan scheme is one such endeavour. It has survived the withering fire of early criticism and is today making a valuable contribution to helping thousands get access to textbooks. No doubt there are areas of weakness which need strengthening, but the programme has demonstrated its worth and value, particularly to the less fortunate.

Parents of this large group, the majority of our school goers, face enormous challenges in sending their children to school. The astronomical cost of textbooks is something which cries out for redress. Can we not seek creative alternatives to the traditional procurement of a long list of books? Does modern technology afford us an opportunity for non-traditional and cheaper approaches?

As regards the passing of the vacation period, one pleasant development is the increase in travelling by students and pupils. A growing number even get to go overseas for holidays. The experience gained by travelling is one of the best ways to further any person’s education, but the cost factor, especially in these trying times, is a serious limitation. Ways and means have to be found to encourage exchange visits by students, especially with the non-English speaking territories.

A win-win scenario is that of encouraging travel and exchange within one’s own borders. One very positive development has been the organization of youth camps during the vacations. Besides the healthy exchange among the students themselves, it lends itself to exploring one’s own country and interacting with people outside your own immediate home/community/school environment. The provision of youth hostels and camp sites, perhaps on a joint public/private sector basis, can significantly boost activities in this area.

If there is one other major area of deficiency where recreation is concerned, it is the lack of suitable facilities, for young children in particular. We have not put enough effort either at governmental or community level to remedy this deficiency and to begin to construct and establish suitable playgrounds, parks and similar facilities so that our little ones can begin to enjoy the pleasures of healthy recreation. It is an issue which cries out for urgent attention if we are to provide a rounded childhood and educational experience for those on whom the future of our nation will rest.