Weekend school is bad for kids

It worries me to see pupils, particularly Grade 12s, attending school on Saturdays.

This I have noticed in most areas, particularly townships in Pretoria, and it has been happening for the the past two years or more.

This is not about extra lessons, or usual Saturday classes, it is a normal school day, starting at 8am and ending at 3pm. And the pupils wear their school uniforms.

In most cases it is compulsory to attend these extra school days. Just recently one Grade 12 pupil told me they even attend classes on Sundays, from 8am to 1pm.

Except for the unrest that occurred last year prior to the local government elections, Pretoria has not had major school disruptions.

We need to understand the reasons why such action is needed.

Is it because these schools have extra workload?

Is it shortage of staff? Is it poor management and planning?

Weekends are supposed to accord learners opportunities to partake in extramural activities, to get involved in social activities and, most importantly, be with their families.

Surely, subjecting our children to seven days of school is not the best way to produce a well-rounded person.

Remember the adage “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”?

A Mukhari e-mail