WHY ARE SOME EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHER?
Today was a bit of a confusing day at work. The morning started off normally but during the first period we received a notice through a learner to notify us that we were using a provisional timetable for the day. This is a timetable we use when the school has other activities planned that require the schooling day to end earlier. It is normally used on Wednesday as these days are sports day. Sports day is a day when various sports are played at the same time in our school two hours prior to school out. It is a great initiative to encourage and motivate learners to partake in sports.
Coming back to the topic; unexpectedly we were on the provisional timetable today. What was the reason for this? Did a verbal or written notice circulate amongst the teachers to notify them of what was taking place that required the early conclusion of the school day? NO! We were all puzzled as to what was to take place that warranted this time-table. The School Managing Team (SMT) made no efforts what so ever to alert us as the staff of the day's activities. We knocked off today still in the dark.
I am not one to quietly take things lying down, I had to investigate as to what was planned that brought about the change in our time-table. I asked my HODs what was the reason for the confusion today. None of them could give me a clear answer but it has something to do with the school choir. Later on I managed to have a few minutes with the choir conductor. I asked her what the choir had planned for today that disturbed our tuition times. She replied that the choir is going to a competition on Monday on the 23rd of April. They needed the extra practising time, hence the provisional time-table. This means that the entire school was interrupted because the choir is competing on Monday.
There are various sporting and extra curricular codes in our school. We have cricket, soccer, netball, volleyball, chess, indigenous games, choir and athletics. Except for the choir none of these other activities have ever taken such priority as to cut the school day short just so they could practice for an up coming competition. The netball team has been competing for a few weeks now but they have never been granted special permission to attain extra practice during tuition hours.
I understand that a lot of work goes into singing and that the extra practice is needed but it shouldn't be placed above other extra curricular activities. Preferential treatment leads to a division in the staff and amongst the learners. I am a cricket coach at the school. Should be have an upcoming match my code will not be granted the same permission as the choir. Our learners are all import and they should all feel that they are equal. They should feel that what they are doing at school as important as what the other learners are doing.
I might be overacting but what happened today cost me important tuition time without proper notice nor reason. It was unprofessional and insensitive towards other learners and staff.
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Stressful day: Issuing out report cards to parents
FIGHT AGAINST LIFE
FRIGHTENING TIMES AHEAD
IT'S TIME