Is Attending the Awards Ceremony a Waste of Class Time? A Reflection on Student Engagement
In the realm of education, classroom experiences can vary widely, and sometimes, students find themselves questioning the value of certain activities. Recently, I reflected on a particular instance during my high school days that left me pondering whether certain school events are truly worth the disruption.
During my freshman year, our school held its customary awards ceremony for various grade levels. On that day, our science teacher announced that we would accompany her to watch the ceremony because some of the awardees were her mentees, and she wanted to support them. Naturally, we headed to the auditorium to witness our peers receive recognition.
However, I remember asking if I could stay behind in the library to complete some work, only to be told, “No, I don’t allow students to leave class,” despite having already left the classroom to attend the ceremony. It felt contradictory—being taken out of our scheduled lessons for an event that, from my perspective, didn’t directly benefit our learning.
Adding to the frustration, that day was also scheduled for a quiz on our science curriculum. Because of the ceremony, the teacher postponed the quiz to the following day. When we took the quiz the next day, it was hurriedly administered, despite covering topics related to artificial intelligence—a subject unrelated to our physical science class.
This experience raises questions about the balance between school events and instructional time. While recognizing student achievements is important, it’s equally vital to ensure that these activities don’t inadvertently hinder academic progress. Striking an effective balance can foster a more engaging and productive learning environment where students feel valued without compromising their educational experience.