QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the government’s plan to extend the school day?

didn’t they say they weren’t extending the hours??

Hope you have the money for the teachers in hand.

Are you going to pay teachers more?

Brilliant Idea!

Not a bad idea, it would work out better for parents. However is the government prepared to also increase teachers and staff salaries? Will they (Ministry of Education/ Board of Education) also re design a curriculum that favors potential in students? Hear me out. Not everyone is capable of studying law or medicine, however some would prefer a more hands on career (engineering, trade works, marine repairs etc.). It’s all good once these things are taken into consideration, but if it’s just extending the time to mitigate risk of young people loitering then that’s a waste. Plus are there any provisions being made for preparing the youth to deal with every day challenges?

Not a bad idea, it would work out better for parents. However is the government prepared to also increase teachers and staff salaries? Will they (Ministry of Education/ Board of Education) also re design a curriculum that favors potential in students? Hear me out. Not everyone is capable of studying law or medicine, however some would prefer a more hands on career (engineering, trade works, marine repairs etc.). It’s all good once these things are taken into consideration, but if it’s just extending the time to mitigate risk of young people loitering then that’s a waste. Plus are there any provisions being made for preparing the youth to deal with every day challenges?

Extending is one thing but what will the time used for..how about introducing different skills..having a skill always makes sense..
My two cents…

What exactly are these plans? I have not heard anything official crom the government or MOE..

That is okay for some parents I imagine but some parents work jobs that have shifts or require the help of someone to pick up their kids to attend afterclasses or other activities

First, why was that idea first raised? Changes are necessary when it is needed to fix a problem or enhance a service, etc. And, what is the problem that it is intended to address?

If my memory is correct, it came as a result of youth voilence. So our problem statement is: we have a significant rise in youth voilence. Then we must examine the causes of the problem. So, can we say that the school hours from 8 to 1 is one of the cause of youth voilence (the hours have been in place for about 50 yrs)? I think a steering committee should be set up to examine the causes?

What would be the benefits of extending the school hours? Would the extra time be used productively or would the teachers be expected to act as teen babysitters until the youths are collected? Or, would it be used to give the students time for physical education that could provide health benefits?

In my view, the present hours are not even properly utilized. I was recently made aware that the Ministry has requested only one exam at the end of the year (no end of term exam). No major issue there. However, the classes still finish at the same time as when the exams are due – no more teaching. Hence exam week and the grading week are now free time (extra vacation for the youths). These weeks could at least be used to review work that were covered and preview of future work. Even the week of activities could be scheduled for this time rather than in the middle to the term.

Having stated the above, I have no issues extended the hours but not for babysitting. Optional other programs could be introduced to for those hours that would allow for other development, physically and or mentally. Gaming is a growing industry – introducing gaming into the school at that time will keep the youths active mentally (they probably would not be ready when the parents arrive). But, some physical activites would be very important as well. That is my 2 cents but I am sure persons in the educational field that would have done much research would have better ideas.

These people have never tried anything innovative. As soon as there is a problem, their response is let us take liberty and freewill away, instead of providing innovative and pragmatic strategies. Let us include more after school activities instead; more sporting competitions, gaming competition, art, craft, music, theater, job practice (having students sign up with various business to learn fields they are interested in).

In 2025, can we please listen and see to me more. It will really work out better for you, I promise. Watch some of the policing being used now, my ideas. If they listen to me completely, crimes will dissappear and there will be wealthier locals, not just within the top 1 to 10% of the people but more than 50% of the wealth will distribute further.

Just listen to me, you do not have to give me the credit but at least listen and do as I say. You will succeed.

The government’s plan to extend the school day is a bold initiative that has the potential to reshape our educational landscape. On one hand, this extension could provide students with additional time to engage with their studies, delve deeper into subjects, and receive the support they might need to thrive academically. For teachers, it could offer a chance to implement more comprehensive lesson plans and foster stronger student-teacher relationships.

However, we must also consider the broader implications for families. Longer school days could place additional strain on teachers, students parents who may be a struggle. We must be mindful of students’ well-being; too much time in a classroom without adequate breaks can lead to burnout and disengagement.

Ultimately, the success of this pilot program will depend on careful implementation and ongoing evaluation. Engaging with all stakeholders—students, parents, and educators—will be essential in shaping a program that truly enhances the educational experience while promoting a healthy work-life balance for families. It’s a complex issue that deserves thoughtful consideration and open dialogue.

A lot of our teachers migrated overseas year into teaching careers. The teaching hours are longer in those countries and they don’t complain, similar to children who migrated overseas. I agree about extending the school hours. The government now needs to increased the teachers salaries once the hours are extended.

Children need some time away from the books. Honestly we treat children like robots these days. In some cases 7 hours of school and still a tonnnnn of homework. Where is the recreation time?

Agreed 1000%….

@ Donna – It is not just about the Teachers, you have to also consider the students. In considering the students, you have to look at their attention span. Their is also a problem with their attention span which also could be a result of their diet and lack of physical exercise.

Also, younger and younger people are getting diagnosed with diabetes, cancer, etc. More physical exercise with help with many health conditions.

Some parents are running from their responsibility – the teachers are not babysitters.

School should start at 9 o’clock and stop have kids on the road dark 6 am in the morning which means they wake 4:30 am so how can they concentrate in class to do maths, and these young girls can be harmed been in the dark morning.