A study on Maltese children’s extra-curricular activities revealed that there is too much focus on academic activities and that parents usually programme the little free time their children have.
Earlier this week, the Office of the Commissioner for Children launched a study of the perception of Maltese children on cultural and recreational activities called Children’s Right to Play. The study analyses how children spend their free time and whether they have sufficient time for extra-curricular activities.
The study was carried out by University of Malta lecturer Valerie Sollars and was conducted among 6,000 children, aged between seven and 14, in 31 primary and secondary church, state and independent schools.
She said that children tend to have their free time programmed for them and that many are obliged to go to private lessons to complement their schoolwork. In addition, activities that are meant to be recreational are given a competitive edge. For example, she said, football nurseries tend to drop the children who do not show any promise.
The study pointed out that even international fora believe there is too much academic pressure on children, especially since schools focus mainly on academic subjects and allow very little time for extra-curricular activities.
It also said that an exam-oriented system, homework and after-school lessons are among the key factors that deter children and young people from other activities.
It noted that the majority of children in primary schools, as well as Form Four and Five students, have only one Physical Education (PE) lesson a week, and pointed out that most schools tend to reduce the number of PE lessons when the MATSEC, SEC and Junior Lyceum exams approach.
Furthermore, only 22 per cent of primary schools have a gymnasium, the study said, as a result of which, PE lessons cannot be held on rainy days.
Both students and heads of schools reported that there does not seem to be much importance given to cultural experiences and this is reflected in the minimal presence of subjects such as art, drama and music.
It was also revealed that primary school students prefer play and exercise during their lunch break, but secondary school students chose to go to the computer labs or library or to have a quiet chat with friends.
The study added that break-time for primary school children tends to be quite short, “considering that half the allotted time is spent eating lunch.”
The large majority of primary school students (71.2 per cent) and secondary school students (71.8 per cent) said they never have a music lesson or only once in a while.
Computers are used by older children for chatting, while younger children prefer to play computer games in their spare time.
Even though play is an important priority for young children, this is replaced by studying and homework for older children.
Although there are many different leisure opportunities for children and young people, the study pointed out that they are not equally accessible to everyone, as certain activities demand payment.
The study noted that sometimes it is difficult for young children to attend after-school activities due to their parents’ commitments.
“For children and young people growing up with parents who are both in employment, taking children for their after-school appointments that start any time between three and five in the afternoon may be difficult to manage,” it said.