Choose a current issue that shapes the society you live in. Describe the issue in detail and explore how government policies and economic changes may improve the problem.
With an annual fee of approximately 24,000€, the International American School of Bucharest is one of the most notorious private educational institutions in Romania [1]. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of children in private institutions has increased with each passing year [2]. Why? Apart from improved academics and more qualified faculty, public schools prize an archaic academic curriculum and neglect the development of creativity, physical activities, and community service. In contrast, private schools practice both. Students are exposed to a variety of mandatory activities besides in-classroom lectures which are ultimately pivotal to the positive development of any student. Increasing accessibility to extracurricular opportunities or introducing them as a mandatory part of the national curriculum will only serve our society by shaping the next generation.
Research indicates that participation in extracurricular activities positively correlates with students’ development both academically and personally [3]. While you can be prepared for standardized tests by both institutions, only the private ones have a certified interest in preparing a student for different real-life scenarios. Over 5700 private institutions and counting, opt for the International Baccalaureate curriculum because it seems to be the only way to introduce the CAS program [4]. This acronym stands for Creativity, Activity, Service, and is one of the essential elements that their students have to complete. It shows ambition, initiative, and perseverance, [5] all being skills needed in the workforce.
The question remains: if extracurricular activities become mandatory, will student interest remain similar? Such activities do not necessarily have to follow the same steps as ordinary classes do. Students can lead events, organize conferences, or opt for novel experiences. In fact, studies show that, in different fields, students generally consider discussions led by their fellows to make the subject significantly engaging. In addition, it raises their interest in specific areas of study. [6]
By far, the most important aspect that national educational institutions need to heed is that youth volunteering has a proven positive return on adult volunteering. This mindset, if implemented early in life, creates a long-term commitment to volunteering and community involvement. In the end, it becomes an effective tool for creating civic-minded citizens that will continue to strive and serve their communities. [7]
I am concerned by the resounding lack of extracurricular opportunities evident in the public school system, especially in more developing countries such as my own. The Romanian educational system continues to have a long fight ahead concerning the development of young minds. As we continue to challenge the status quo of pure academics, we require additional help from institutions and laws governing our education.
The introduction of mandatory extracurricular activities can potentially lead to several advantages in a young person’s life: a greater level of academic achievement, character development by acquiring new skills, raised self-esteem and resilience, and a variety of new opportunities [8]. In the long term, extracurriculars turn into new communities, passions, hobbies, and more - factors of great importance that offer real value to any adult’s life. They can no longer be named extracurricular activities but average daily habits or passion projects.
Bibliography:
[1] ‘Admissions’ (American International School of Bucharest, 26 April 2023) <https://www.aisb.ro/admissions/#t_f> accessed 26 August 2023
[2] ‘The NCES Fast Facts Tool Provides Quick Answers to Many Education Questions (National Center for Education Statistics)’ (NationalCenterforEducationStatistics(NCES)HomePage,a part of the U.S. Department of Education) <https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=55> accessed 26 August 2023
[3] Christison C (The benefits of participating in extracurricular activities) <https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1230758.pdf> accessed 26 August 2023
[4] IB Organization, ‘Facts and Figures’ (International Baccalaureate®) <https://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/facts-and-figures/> accessed 26 August 2023
[5] IB Organization, ‘Creativity, Activity, Service’ (International Baccalaureate®) <https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/creativity-activity-andservice/> accessed 26 August 2023
[6] Sage Journals (UsingStudent-LedDiscussionsandSnapshotLecturestoStimulateActive LearningandAccountability:AMixedMethodsStudyonTeachinganImplementationScience Course) <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23733799211050088> accessed 26 August 2023
[7] Kim J and Morgül K, ‘Long-Term Consequences of Youth Volunteering: Voluntary versus Involuntary Service’ (Social science research, September 2017) <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5612372/> accessed 26 August 2023
[8] Christison C (The benefits of participating in extracurricular activities) <https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1230758.pdf> accessed 26 August 2023