Co-Curricular Activities

Co-curricular in schools today... it is incorporated into the time table, as into 'lesson-proper'. At mine, Wednesday mornings (7.30 - 9.00 a.m.) is such a time. I've always wondered the wisdom of this timing. I think carrying it out during the last 2 periods when the students are already restless might be better timing. But maybe the people who planned this know something I don't.

So if that particular Wednesday is Uniformed Body Day, all of them would wear their uniformed bodies' outfits. But this is Malaysia, where the weather is hot and humid. Can you imagine students wearing those heavy jackets (like that of the Fire Brigade) from 7.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. in such weather? How to study with the body perspiring or sticky all the time?

As for sports... they're also carried out because we must. Students hardly do real training these days. You only need to watch the relay run to get what I mean. Moreover many teachers also don't know the techniques in many of the events. PE was a compulsory module for us teachers when we were undergoing training. I don't know whether they were paying attention. Anyway, sports is so dead in many schools. Most of the 'athletes' don't even know how to pass the baton. Many schools try to clear off Sports Day as early as possible in the year so that they can proceed with our 'kelas tambahan'. I pity those students who are bodily-kinesthetically more inclined. They don't seem to have a place to develop further in our education system. Our edu system seems to recognize one type of intelligence.... scoring in exams. We've forgotten that school is supposed to be a place to bring the best out of an individual in other areas too. We seem to have forgotten Gardner's 9 intelligence types too.

Schools don't seem to be churning out sports stars these days. Most are products of organizations or associations. Kedah used to be a powerhouse in badminton. It was the Kedah Badminton Association who was responsible for unearthing the talents.... not the schools. I think Tan Boon Heong was one such talent as are some of the juniors.

It's the same too for those with other abilities like musical inclination. Having talent time these days are frowned upon as an activity that will degrade the students' moral... this is more so in national schools. Tongues wag when students have a little fun on stage. I think we forget that these are young people and they need outlets. So, music related activities, if at all carried out, are conservative and dull. Sometimes some people think enjoying, laughing, listening and watching concerts with songs and dances is also a sin. We have a lot of teachers with the holier than thou attitude these days. They seem to be blind to their own shortcomings but wag their tongues aplenty.

So it was actually quite refreshing to see this little performance while I was in Keat Hwa I recently. I think this is a good outlet for some of the students to show off their talents, to feel a sense of achievement too. Achievement is not only for those who score A(s) or can play games. It's also for those who are good in other things - dancing, singing, drawing, music. Notice that the environment is freer in KH1. Maybe that's why they've been able to produce singers and actresses of international calibre, not just 'A' students. If it were to be in national schools, heads will shake, tongues wag....

And while I was there too, there was this MSSD Basketball going on. From the sound of the cheering, I guess the students were cheering for their school team. Schools should organize events they're strong in so that their students get a chance to cheer for their school team. That's where the seeds of patriotism are planted. Also camaraderie, sportsmanship, team spirit, kekitaan, etc, etc... Sports is one area which teaches lots of good stuff...

But some frown upon letting the students out of the class to watch such activities as they feel it creates more problems at schools such indiscipline. But it is also odd that the said schools will take students out of class for activities like beautifying the school - gardening is one such activity. But if you asked me, this is more make some people look good when some big shot comes for visits. Students are free labour. Many hands make light work... so many students, instant gardens can spring up.

So, schools should do some soul searching... these are kids we're dealing with. Do we want the best for them? Or do we want to use them the best way that benefits us? I think many schools these days border the second.