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As the bell rings to signal the start of the long school
holidays, students cheer in excitement for the break from their routine of
schoolwork. Meanwhile, teachers sigh in relief for the much-needed break
from the stress and monotony of their jobs. Long holidays have their
benefits, but also their downsides.
For teachers, the long holidays are a welcome opportunity to recharge their
batteries and attend courses to improve their skills and knowledge. Their
job can be stressful, managing a class of up to forty students, many of whom
may be hyperactive or misbehaving. The monotony of their daily routine can
also be overwhelming. Long holidays provide them with time to recuperate and
rejuvenate.
Similarly, for students, the break from schoolwork and structured activities
provides them with an opportunity to engage in other leisure pursuits and
spend quality time with family and friends. They can travel on family
vacations or take part in educational trips to foreign countries to gain new
experiences and insights. These experiences are not only enriching but can
also help develop character.
However, the benefits of long holidays are not universal. For some families,
the cost of engaging in out-of-school activities is prohibitively high, and
the children may be left unsupervised while their parents are at work. This
can be especially dangerous for younger children. In addition, some students
rely on school as their primary source of academic learning, and a long
period away from studies can cause them to regress in their academic skills.
Furthermore, some students may be drawn to anti-social activities during
long holidays, such as theft, gangsterism, gambling, and drugs. These
activities can have long-term negative consequences and lead to a life of
crime and delinquency.
In conclusion, long school holidays have both advantages and disadvantages.
While teachers and students can benefit from the break, it may not be
feasible or safe for all students to engage in out-of-school activities. To
mitigate the negative effects of long holidays, schools can provide services
or activities for less privileged children to keep them occupied in a safe
and useful way. This could include offering after-school programs, access to
academic resources, or providing free or subsidized activities for students
who may not have the financial means to participate in costly programs.
In my opinion, schools should have some degree of flexibility in their
holiday schedules to allow for some time off for students and teachers.
However, the length of the holidays should be reasonable and considerate of
the needs and safety of all students. Schools should also take steps to
ensure that all students, regardless of their financial situation, have
access to educational and leisure activities during the break. This will
help to ensure that all students can benefit from the break while minimizing
the negative effects. |
