By Maxwell Oyekunle
Holiday is coming!
Holiday is coming!
No more clanging bells
No more teachers’ whip!
Goodbye teachers, goodbye scholars
We are going on a jolly holiday!
Girls: A jolly –
All: Holiday!
Girls: A jolly –
All: Holiday!
A time it was when the song above “Holiday is Coming” rents the air at the scent of the approach of the period that signals the end of academic work.
Much more the song is significant for pupils and students at the third term, with its attendant six weeks break.
Today all that is gone!
All the dins associated with the long holiday are particularly dwarfed by summer lessons.
Holiday Lessons or Summer School are activities that involve repeating activities from the previous school session or previewing content from the next class.
This is a popular educational activity in Nigeria, whereby students return to school for lessons after taking a few weeks off.
The whole goal of the school holiday coaching is to prepare students for the coming session in September since they will be resuming a new class.
This is a chance for students to get prior knowledge of what is coming in the next term.
Also, participating in holiday coaching can aid students’ academic progress.
As much as these and more are true of holiday coaching, there are also disadvantages involved.
Let’s explore both sides of the coin:
Advantages of Holiday Coaching
- Retention and Review: Repeating activities from the previous school session helps reinforce concepts learned, enhancing retention and preventing learning loss over extended breaks.
- Smooth Transition: Previewing content from the next class can provide students with a head start, making the transition to the next grade or topic smoother and less overwhelming.
- Active Engagement: Depending on how the lessons are structured, they can keep students mentally engaged during the holidays, preventing boredom and maintaining a routine.
- Reinforced Learning: Revisiting concepts and previewing new ones can deepen understanding and facilitate a stronger foundation for future learning.
- Confidence Boost: Successfully tackling familiar and new material during the holidays can boost students’ confidence in their academic abilities.
- Time Management: Holiday lessons can help students practice time management and discipline, as they need to allocate time for learning alongside their leisure activities.
Disadvantages of Holiday Coaching
- Burnout: Extended breaks are essential for relaxation and mental rejuvenation. Forcing students to continue learning during holidays might lead to burnout and reduced enthusiasm for school.
- Lack of Rest: Students may not get sufficient rest if holidays are packed with academic activities, which can negatively impact their overall well-being.
- Limited Exploration: Holidays provide an opportunity for non-academic exploration and hobbies. Intense academic focus might deprive students of trying new activities.
- Overdependence on Routine: While some structure is beneficial, excessive routine can hinder creativity and the development of diverse skills.
- Negative Perception: If not implemented properly, students might perceive holiday lessons as a burden, leading to resistance and negative attitudes towards learning.
- Inequity: Not all students have access to resources for holiday lessons, creating an unfair advantage for those who do.
- Teacher and Student Burnout: Teachers might also require a break, and planning and conducting holiday lessons can contribute to their burnout as well.
- Diminished Interest: For subjects that students struggle with or don’t enjoy, holiday lessons might intensify negative feelings.
From the above we can see that balancing the benefits and disadvantages is crucial.
If holiday lessons are implemented, they should be designed with care, offering a mix of light review, enjoyable activities, and opportunities for independent exploration.
It is also important to ensure that students have enough downtime to relax and recharge.
Remember that holidays play a significant role in a child’s overall development, encompassing not only academic growth but also personal growth and well-being.
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