BE RESPONSIBLE...

Lei's teacher posted this message for the boys...

Dear boys,

I hope you can set your priorities right and manage your time properly with regards to homework. If you have difficulties in doing so, you will need to seek help from your parents. The teachers should not hear anyone giving us the excuse that you had tuition and therefore did not have the time to complete your homework, especially when your teachers did not assign you many pieces of work.

It only boils down to how responsible you have been for your own learning. If you had been paying attention in class, you would not be needing tuition. If you have been on task, you would not need a lot of time to complete your work. If you had not wasted time on other activities(such as play or TV), you would have more than enough time for both work and tuition.

BE RESPNOSIBLE at all time, not only for your own learning, but also for your own properties and action.

I have mixed reactions to what she wrote...

(a) I totally agreed that one has to be responsible for oneself... be it for one's own learning, one's own properties and actions, or one's own life.

(b) I totally agreed that one should set one's priorities right and manage one's time properly.

(c) I questioned whether it is really sufficient to pay attention in class, and be able do well in school today, without additional lessons outside.

(d) I questioned where is the balance between schoolwork and play (and even TV)... learning should be an enjoyable process, a joyful journey... and play is a learning process too... but with all these crazy demands and schedules, will the boys truly enjoy learning?

(e) I questioned whether it is really the boys' sole responsibilities to manage their own priorities and time... or it is the parents' fault??? Even as an adult, I have problems managing my priorities and time... how is a young child to know???

(f) I questioned myself as a mother what should I do to help my sons cope with the stress of schoolwork, and keep up with the crazy demands and schedules... and stil continue to enjoy learning???