Importance Of School Day Essay

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Ladies and Gentlemen,

Academically, Britain is ranked twenty-sixth according to the latest Pisa test results. This indicates that our students are not achieving their potential in studies. Of course, we as a nation must strive for excellence and overcome this problem. China, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany, Vietnam and France are simply a few countries where students outperform those in the UK. Whilst I understand the government’s concern, I believe that its means of addressing the issue is misguided.

There is a growing opinion that Britain’s education problems derive from the shorter school day than other developed nations. Although the Education Secretary, Michael Gove has made a proposition for the school day to be extended, I say that the school day should not be lengthened because it causes harmful stress to the student and takes away vital, enriching social time. Whilst Mr. Gove contends that to abolish the divide between state schools and private schools, I believe that lengthening the school day will not help the situation. Instead, it adds stress to an already over-stressed student.

A longer school day would deprive important social time which is necessary to a student’s healthy development. The term ‘social time’, is not simply referring to social interaction with friends and peers, it also refers to the time spent with family. Children learn about families and relationships through the time they spend with their own families. They need time in order to gain these experiences. These are some of the values and experiences which school cannot provide. Children cannot be taught how to feel, they need to experience it for themselves to become better individuals.

Individuality is beyond education. Mr. Gove may want to ...

... middle of paper ...

... to the greater number of hours? Teaching is one of the most difficult professions in the country, if the salary does not equate with the number of hours input then it would not look attractive for potential candidates. Also, the purpose of schooling is to learn. School should not be mistaken for a day-care center. Although education occupies youths who would otherwise not have a productive way to spend their time, the role of a teacher should not be reduced to that of a child minder. Michael Gove claims that when students attend school for longer, their parents are able to work for more hours. But he does not consider the logistics of younger students making their way home in the dark.

I hope that you are able to understand now why extending the school day may not be the best intention for our education. I must remind you that quality is far better than quantity!

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