Looks like I’m talking more about education nowadays. Not sure if my title is SEO friendly, but it’s what’s going on in my life nowadays, and what’s playing in my mind most of the time lately.
A few days ago, I received a call from a parent. For obvious reasons, I shall not name the parent.
Anyway, it was related to his child representing the school for a competition which requires the parents (including him) to chip in some cash which will enable his child to go for the competition. The money would be used for accommodation and food as the department has agreed to pay for the transportation at the very last minute. I was told that transport alone would cost some RM5,600 per bus (for 40 passengers).
You see, allocations for extra curricular activities in schools this year has been slashed by chunks. Unlike previous years, money is hard to come by this year and teachers need to outsource funds to bring students out for activities.
Why is the funds slashed, well… that, I can’t say because I am not sure.
The call I received from this parent was interesting because this parent was asking about the need for him to fork out money for his child.
His exact words to me in the call was “When the student represent the school, and they win, they are bringing the name of the school, and when they win, it is the schools name which goes up, and hence why the school should pay for everything and not the parent.”
I found his statement interesting because I felt otherwise with my thought more towards the students gaining experience and exposure. As for the school, yes, it does get the name, but that would only last for a couple of years. The name fades after that.
Well, I don’t know about you, but all my experience, field trips, camps, courses and competitions during my student life has taught me so much, I can still use those experience until today.
So what do you think, am I wrong on this, or is this particular parent right? If you are a parent, do you think it’s the school whom ultimately benefits when a student excels and goes out for education trips or extra curricular activities?
Looking forward to your two cents. Cheers!
NOTE: Photos in this post have been deleted due to technical issues with the server in the past.
