As the regular classroom offers students a wealth of knowledge in a variety of topics, enrichment classes may seem unnecessary. However, they may still benefit some students greatly through imparting critical-thinking skills and advanced knowledge in a particular subject to students. The knowledge gained may not only encompass subjects that are traditionally taught at schools but also art, speech and drama, music, ballet, sports and foreign languages. Therefore I believe that enrichment classes have both boons and banes, such as supporting students to achieve good grades, providing great developmental benefits, but at the same time they may not adequately prepare students for future challenges and destroy their love for learning.
First, enrichment classes may be a panacea for students to do well in examinations. Despite Singapore’s education system being one of the best in the world, it only provides a basic level of education, whereas enrichment classes provide a level of education that could possibly exceed parents’ expectations. This is because small-sized enrichment classes may be able to better identify the learning gaps of a student, and provide the necessary individualised instruction to minimise and eliminate those gaps. Their unique teaching style helps to solve loopholes in the Singapore’s education system such as the “one size fits all” approach. Indeed, Singapore’s education system has inherent problems of mass education that includes the low quality of teachers, large class sizes, and the automatic promotion of failed students. According to Mr Heng Swee Keat in 2012, more than 20% of the MOE teachers have less than 5 years of experience and are “still finding their feet”. Furthermore, any graduate can become a teacher in just one year by enrolling in a postgraduate Diploma in Education programme at the National Institute of Education. Additionally, class sizes in Singapore may range from 30 to 40 students, which may result in little to no individualised learning. Finally, failed students may not have stable foundations, which may result in continuous failures even after they promote. Hence, enrichment classes, the shadow education industry, should be seen as a supplementary pillar to Singapore’s education system.
Second, enrichment classes may be able to provide great developmental benefits for students especially children. During their enrichment classes, they may learn how to play with others and learn new skills that may be able to help them in the long run, like confidence and social skills. These skills are also considered critical because the brain is developing rapidly at that age, thus they may be imbued in them strongly, benefitting them in the long run. For example, during the art enrichment classes, procedures such as colouring, drawing and cutting which require both hands to work may develop their fine motor skills coordination. These skills translate to other areas of their lives, such as dressing, eating, and in academics. They also provide a positive way for them to build socio-emotional intelligence such as self-control and patience. The program also lets them become explorers of the world. They do not push them but instead provide an environment rich with opportunities to explore and learn in ways that come naturally to them. As for a yoga enrichment class, it may help to develop a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age. It also enhances body awareness, and cultivates a peaceful and relaxed state of mind. Furthermore, it sparks creativity and teaches discipline and responsibility to them. These enrichment classes provide a different environment from what children experience at home, allowing students to gain prominent growth and developmental advantages.
However, many enrichment classes may not prepare students adequately for future challenges. They may be rushing and pushing the students too much to acquire knowledge in academic areas and produce work that is beyond their age or ability. This sort of education may not encourage them to take risk, make mistakes and experience failure, thus depriving them of the opportunity to grow, develop and learn. Instead of enrichment class teachers, parents should spend more time with their children as they may understand their child better and know what their child is lacking in aspects apart from academics. Parents may be better able to imbibe them with positive values to guide them in making the right choices and judgements. With ample guidance from parents, they may be able to build more trusting relationships with family, relatives and friends, which may better prepare them for future complexities of school, work and life.
Furthermore, some enrichment classes may not be able to cultivate a love for learning in students. They may have a potentially clinical classroom setting, resulting in fewer opportunities for exploration and discovery. This may impede the development of their creativity, imagination, curiosity and sense of wonder, ultimately dousing their love for learning. Instead, parents could bring their child to experience outdoor activities, such as bringing them to a reservoir to learn about the animals in their natural habitats and the adaptations of plants. These activities may encourage students to share more of their feelings, impressions and experiences, encouraging them to be more aware and mindful of their surroundings. They may also allow them to identify, describe and compare the things they see around them, thus developing their process skills such as observation, comparison and communication. The knowledge construction process through such experiential exercises is more relaxing and enjoyable, hence these activities may be able to better cultivate a lifelong love for learning in children compared to enrichment classes.
In conclusion, enrichment classes may be a double-edged sword, as it may result in many benefits like assisting students to attain good grades and imbuing immense developmental benefits, yet at the same time, they may not ready students fully for upcoming challenges and vanquish their love for learning. Hence, I believe that enrichment classes are both advantageous and disadvantageous depending on the actual circumstances. However, if Singapore’s education system improves and adopts the teaching style of enrichment classes, enrichment classes may then become redundant in the future.
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