To Be Honest

An unheard voice in education

‘Schools schedule matches and sporting events during class time’

TBH:A parent writes: I come from Dublin but recently moved to Meath. I have a son about to move into post-primary and have been looking for a school for him in our new neighbourhood.

A problem, as I see it, has come up. We are a very sporty family – all my children are very involved in sport and my son likes to play rugby, tennis, golf and a number of other sports.

What I have discovered is that all the local schools schedule matches and sporting events during class time.

This is completely different to my experience of private schooling in Dublin, where matches were always held at the weekend or on Wednesday afternoons. My Dublin friends are amazed that here in Meath my children will have to choose between class time and sport.

When I expressed surprise about this practice to the principals, I was told that this has always been the way in State schools in the area. Is this a geographical thing? Is it because teams have to travel to matches? Whatever the reason, it’s less than ideal for my son.

He would love to represent his school in a number of sports but if he has to miss classes every time he competes, it won’t be possible. Any child who is athletic and wants to play a few different sports will end up missing a considerable amount of class time.

I have spoken to parents in the area who have encountered this problem and their children, who chose to take part in a number of sports, ended up suffering in their exams.

On the other hand, this system provides a perfect excuse for lazy kids to opt out of sports altogether.

All my children play multiple sports and I don’t want them to have to drop all but one when they leave primary school.

Perhaps only the private schools, which are the ones I have the most experience of, are the only ones that put matches outside school hours. Is this a State school phenomenon?

I’d love to know why these schools can’t schedule matches for weekends or after school. Maybe they can’t get the teachers. Is it because the fixtures would clash with local GAA clubs and other sports clubs? If so, why can’t they work together to dovetail sporting events?

It doesn’t seem right to make young people choose between sport and school, especially when we have problems with children’s health in this country.

Besides, sporting activity is brilliant for study.

Shouldn’t there be a national policy on this, rather than leaving schools to work it out on their own?

This column is designed to give a voice to those within the education system who wish to speak out anonymously. Contributions are welcome. E-mail sflynn@irishtimes.com