Summer center learning programs offer nothing more than boring subjects

Written By: Basheer al-Selwi

Article Date: Aug 4, 2009 - 2:18:30 PM
After three months of teaching and training at centers across the republic, we and all of the other students in the country were released from summer center programs. There is a question, however, which is on the minds of everyone concerned; what have they done for increasing wariness and knowledge among students?

Despite plentiful government funding, students still sit on the ground without chairs or desks.

The government spends a lot of money from the budget to supply teachers, buildings, and all of the tools that the centers need. Nevertheless, do summer centers achieve the goal and the main target in increasing the rate of student knowledge?
It seems that summer centers fail to attract students because most of the students reject going to the centers due to the fact that the programs offered are boring and not helping them to cultivate their minds. This fact can be seen in the low enrollment numbers witnessed at centers countrywide.
In most of the summer centers, students sit on the ground without chairs or desks. Most of the students in attendance confirmed that summer centers are merely places for playing games and killing time.
“I come here just to meet my friends because my father dislikes me going to meet them in the street. Here is the only chance for us to play and do whatever we like. Moreover, teachers really dislike teaching us, and they just walk around the center.” Ali Al-Harazee, a 14-year-old boy expressed.
“One of the main reasons that summer centers fail to attract students is the kinds of programs they offer. Most summer centers restrict themselves to one subject such as Qur’an recitation. Sure, keeping Qur’an is a good thing for children and students, but they have to provide and not forget about the other subjects such as drawing, singing, computers, music, and writing skills, among others,” Mohammed Maweua, a teacher, has commented.
Most of the heads of these centers are censuring the government by saying that the government does not offer them the basic needs such as, computers, drawing paper, and pens. Furthermore, they justify their failure due to the fact that most of the students are working during summer vacation.
A lot of students have spilt away from summer centers because of the boring programs that summer centers offer them.“Actually, we sit in class like statues and don’t do anything other than memorizing, listing, and reciting. This situation is certainly miserable, and we can not bear it, so I decided to leave the center,” Zaid Amar a 10-year-old student at al-Zahra Summer Center said.
Amar concluded, “All that the teachers do is sit around, never making us happy. I hate summer center, and I will never go that place again.”
Amar is just one student from thousands of students who have given up their studies in summer centers.In conclusion, what are the benefits of such centers if they cannot offer at least something to benefit the society and education?