Schools on a shift system?
A while ago whilst in Malaysia, I was told that state schools there are operated in two shifts - from 7am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 6pm. Everyone seems happy with this because it pretty much halves the cost of school buildings.
Our schools are utilised less than 20% of available time - a use of resources which would be unthinkable in business, commerce and most other public facilities.
Imagine the total value of all school buildings and grounds in Britain and what a massive difference it would make if a third of this money could released to fund other additional educational spending. Every school could have world class resources.
Bill Whiting
Fordingbridge, Hants
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I think it’s great idea to operate school buildings in a shift system but unlike the Malaysians our parents would be in absolute uproar if it ever happened. Everybody seems to be telling the political pollsters that they think education is a vital issue, but the unspoken truth is that, given the choice, rather than have a huge improvement in our state schools, most British men would actually choose the option of seeing their football team promoted and most women would prefer the option of having a smaller bum. Not so in Kuala Lumpur!
Comment by Felix Happer — April 3, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I agree that school premises should be utilised more, not only for mainstream full-time education but for adult courses. School holidays need not mean a complete shut down. The “shift” proposal is worthy of further consideration. However, there would be an increase in school-run traffic and implications for parents who work “normal” hours.
Comment by Richard Walter — April 4, 2007 @ 11:19 am