How can schools play a role in producing well-rounded individuals ?

Schools play an important role in imparting knowledge and producing individuals

with high moral and ethical values who contribute to our country's development.
However, there have been accusations that Asian schools are not churning out wel
l-rounded individuals. The main culprit they say is the education system which i
s heavily exam oriented and although students excel academically, they are not g
ood in sports or extra curricular activities. even straight As students are cons
idered only paper smart lacking common knowledge or even skills-based knowledge.
Thus, schools play a vital role in ensuring its products are not only academica
lly well qualified but also confident, intelligent and have multiple skills.
The most important step schools should take with the cooperation of the Educatio
n Ministry is to place less emphasis on scholarly achievements and examination g
rads. Currently, due to heavy stress on examination results, many, if not all, s
tudent study to excel academically rather than have a balanced approach to studi
es. they study had and attend tuition classes so that they are able to get strai
ght As in all the subjects. This leaves them little time to indulge in extra-cur
ricular activities or sports. Thus, a markedly different way of grading and asse
ssing students should be adopted like in the West. In order to produce well roun
ded individuals, grades should be given for assignments, extra curricular activi
ties as well as involvement in sports. Ideally, only 50% of marks should be allo
cated for examination and the rest for participation in non-academic activities.
This would produce students with a innovative, intelligent and creative persona
lity as progression in school would not be based solely on examinations.
In addition, a system should be introduced to make it compulsory for students to
volunteer with community-based organizations such as orphanages, centers for th
e disabled and other social non-governmental organizations. Assignments related
to involvement in these organizations can form part of the examination system. T
hus, students will be compelled to participate in various kinds of extra curricu
lar and sports activities, under the guidance of their teachers of course. That
would ultimately enable them to acquire people's skills such as communication an
d writing skills through the ability to interact with others and engage in stimu
lating discussions.
Study environment can be made less mundane and monotonous by introducing outdoor
learning experience. More emphasis on outdoor learning activities rather than t
hose confined to classroom activities should be made part of the regular teachin
g method. Students thus, will acquire interest in their studies and would be abl
e to expand their general knowledge Schools would stop churning out "book worms"
and diffident students. Rather, this novel approach would produce students who
are smart, intelligent, bold and inquisitive.
In all, the task of producing well rounded students and hence, individuals lay h
eavily on the shoulders of the education ministry and teachers. It is the step i
n the right direction towards creating a generation that is inquisitive and smar
t. these individuals can then contribute tremendously to our nation's developmen
t and standing in the world.