8th April

NEWSLINK




Stressed students go 'wild'

Students of Greenridge secondary school has indeed been stressed by their teachers. This is proven by the unnatural increase of 'little fights' throughout the school especially during the exam period. It occurs frequently in the Normal Academic (NA) and Normal Technical classes. These 'fights' rarely occur in Express Classes. However, when the top Express class of Greenridge Secondary school suddenly go berserk, everyone is shocked. This class is particularly well known for their good behavior and academic results. Such behavior is least expected.

It is believed that the students of 4E1 has not been sleeping much, leading to such disastrous behavior. When asked why the students have been sleeping only four to five hours a day, one answered saying that they had recently been 'bombarded' with enormous amount of homework to be done leading to their lost of sleep. "We feel like we're trapped. If we do not complete just one assignment, the penalty would be the fear of other teachers giving us more work to do. This would in turn increase our workload and the cycle goes on." Says Da Niao (Big Bird), a student in 4E1. "We end up being stressed-up!"

Students involved added that such actions provides temporary relief from stress. Fortunately, no serious harm had been reported in such 'fights'. "Disciplinary action have to be taken in such situations" Says Chui Fook Weng, the discipline master. "We must ensure that every student will learn to be gracious, dynamic global citizens of the future! Building character, nurturing talents! That is our mission!"

When asked how can the situation improve, one answered saying that reducing the amount of time staying in school would help the situation. "The root of why we are not sleeping well is because that we are unable to complete the assignments fast enough for us to ensure adequate sleep. If we are able to leave school earlier, enabling us to 'start early, and end early', there is no doubt that we would be able to complete all our assignments on time! Furthermore, any extra time granted to us enable us to do our own self-study in preparation for our 'O' Levels!"

Students sure has a good bargain here. However, the school believes that staying in school for long hours is a privilege. The situation does not have to be solved in this manner. "If we grant the students permission to leave early, we cannot be sure that the situation will improve. Stress is not the only reason why students tend to 'fight' There are many other reasons that cause students to start 'fighting'. Furthermore, it is just escaping from the situation, not confronting it." Says Chicken Chong, the level tutor for secondary four level.

It seems like students have to do better in order to reduce the school hours.

Ryan Law