The Sunday News
Charles Dube
SCHOOLS have just closed and in comes the holiday. Truly, students deserve this break after 14 weeks sweating it out at schools. In the olden days, students would definitely rest until close to the opening of schools. But, alas, that is no longer the case. I would like to believe that both students and parents were content that the time at school had been put to good use. There was no need for extra lessons during the holidays as pupils or students would pass their examinations with what was acquired from school.
Was it a question of maturity on the part of the students as they started school at higher ages than today’s students or today’s parents are more concerned about their children passing examinations since there is stiff competition for career opportunities and jobs? Whatever the case maybe, today’s students spend most of their holiday time doing extra lessons. Extra lessons of course help to keep children off the streets.
However, not all students need to go for extra lessons as what they learn in formal schools is deemed enough.
I am not suggesting that students should not go for extra lessons but that students should work hard to achieve good results. Some students have a problem of closing schools two weeks before schools officially close. They tend to relax too much as they get into the celebratory mood of closing schools. By so doing they lose concentration in class. They could utilise the relaxed atmosphere maybe by catching up on note making, reading on and keeping ahead of the class, especially in the arts classes. Here I am thinking of subjects like Literature and History.
The advantage is they would be reading the texts at their own pace.
There is no time to waste for examination classes since examinations are upon them in no time. This leads me to emphasise on the need of schools giving students end of term and mid-year examinations. These regular examinations help teachers keep track of the performance of their students. Teachers are able to assess the various needs the students have. Weaknesses are continuously eliminated before they sit for the final examinations.
Some schools have done away with end of term tests and mid-year examinations citing financial challenges. While this is an undeniable fact it would be better to at least squeeze in those about to write their final examinations and leave out the rest. The same applies to the third term.
It is wise and beneficial to give the students short tests a few weeks before the final examinations commence. As stated earlier this helps students identify and get rid of mistakes which they might carry into the examination room.
There is a view that such tests discourage students when they fail them at the last minute. But there are more advantages of failing prior to the final examinations and correcting the spotted mistakes than taking them to the examinations. Practice makes perfect — giving periodic tests helps instil confidence to students — when final examinations come they do not panic because they are used to examination conditions. They are used to answering examination questions especially where past public examination papers are used.
Talk of drilling students to help them pass the final examinations. What is wrong with that? The objective of teaching students is to help them pass. I have heard of some teachers complaining about certain schools that they drill their students. There are many methods of teaching and drilling is one of them though frowned upon by many. There is nothing wrong with it if pupils eventually pass. Usually that argument is not based on fact hence it should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. I have always said to those who raise such unsubstantiated opinions that there is no need to complain if the method works. They should join the trail and follow suit. Maybe that is the reason why the expression, “If you can’t beat them join them,” was coined.
Overall, such students do better in the examinations than those who did not get such practice. There is a tendency by some students to rely on past records of the school. If the school has an established record of students passing examinations they tend to relax telling themselves that they will make it like the other groups.
Yes, they might ride on the success of the school, but, a close analysis of the examinations shows mediocrity. There could be a majority of passes lacking quality though. Students should guard against complacency but work extra hard to get quality grades. Some students definitely need extra tuition during the holidays because they are slow, not that they are total failures. Such students should note their weak areas and seek help on the relevant areas.
Students in need of help should not just join any study group which will not focus on their individual weaknesses. Individual tutors for individual problems are better. In case a student fails public examinations, it is advisable to repeat in the earliest possible time. They should not wait until they have come of age and are seized by a lot of responsibilities which will interfere with their studies. In the same vein I will in the coming week among other things offer advice on choosing careers especially how parents affect their children’s career choices.
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