Children and pressure in school?

                 A short British TV program tonight aired the question of whether the children of today are too pressurised. Is there too much pressure on them to do well in school, in tests, exams or general school work?  The majority seem to think that exams put far too much pressure on the poor young things and high percentages were quoted for teenage depression and other mental and emotional diagnoses due to pressure.

Some mums were concerned that their children weren’t “playing out” enough (presumably they mean “playing outside”!) and arranged to have their street closed to traffic for a few hours in the week to allow the kids to kick a ball or ride a tricycle! (No cricket in the street though – cars were still parked on the side!)  Coming from a totally different – although still ‘Western’ - culture, these observations still amaze us a family. 

Children in South Africa start school at 6 years old (not 4 years) after a pre-school year which is a lot of play but structured times learning how to write their name, memorise their telephone number (in case of emergency) learning the alphabet and to count. So they get four or five full years of simple play – no pressure! Once they get to ‘big school’ at age 6, then it’s time for uniforms, discipline, sitting at desks, listening, and learning. A South African child’s school day typically begins no later than 8am and finishes somewhere between 12.30pm for the very young ones, and 2pm for the older ones. During the day they will have two break times; the first approximately 10-15 minutes and the second, more of a lunch break, 30-40 minutes.  Most schools have a reasonably sized grass area which will be well used during these break times to run around, kick a ball, or simply sit with friends and talk – mobile phones are not allowed in most schools and it would therefore be unusual to see children texting all during a break time! Social skills – talking, discussing, debating, sharing life’s highs and lows – necessary life skills on the playground!

All children are strongly encouraged to take part in at least one of the many sports offered, especially in primary school –age 6 to 12 – but it’s not compulsory. However, most usually take advantage of football, cricket, hockey, rugby, netball, athletics, cross country running, swimming, tennis and even golf.  For the non-sporty child there are the options of arts & crafts, chess, choir, speech & drama, computer club, dancing, music, etc. Most of these activities contain some sort of competitiveness, but there’s not a big thing made of ‘pressure’ in competition! 

Surely competitiveness is as much part of life as learning?! Being competitive teaches us to stretch our minds and strive further than we thought we could go! It also teaches us to be gracious, both in victory and defeat – social skills. It’s such a pity that competitiveness is often seen as a negative in today’s British child’s education.

The same goes for exams or tests. Regular tests – like the weekly spelling tests we used to have – encourage a child to learn – isn’t that why they go to school? To learn? Test results show what they haven’t yet grasped and they can try again – perseverance - or be proud of themselves in achieving realistic goals.

Yes, there are always children who are not academically minded and who struggle to learn. But can almost an entire nation of children be in this category, as it seems the British media is trying to tell us?!

South African children may have a shorter day in the classroom than their British counterpart, but they do get the vital physical exercise they need during and after school, and they usually have homework for the next day or the next week - this teaches them about deadlines, prioritising, and time management.

Most South African children come away from their twelve years of formal schooling and become responsible, happy, well-balanced, young adults!

Of course the family unit also comes into play. I’ve heard of many London families, where both Mum & Dad could work late into the evening and end up with only a few minutes to hurry their little darling into bed and say goodnight!  We’ve also heard the cry from parents that they feel they’re ‘not there’ enough for their children, and it’s being able to create the right work ethic that is difficult. Different countries and cultures perhaps put different emphases on the ‘work ethic’!

From what I’ve heard, I’m glad my children were educated in South African schools! They are responsible, well-balanced, happy and respected young adults within their social & working circles, each having achieved – and still achieving – goals they have set themselves to reach.

No pressure!