The Big Issues

Should the School Day Be Longer? Three Perspectives


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Do you support the extension of the school day? No? Yes? Until when? 2:30 PM? 4:00 PM? In this episode we discuss the idea of an extended school day for public schools and all that would need to be considered before it could ever happen, if ever it were to happen. Our guests came to the conclusion that any changes ought to be based on data, based on engagement with those affected, and based on a clear objective for what an extension would be meant to achieve.

Would the idea be to help students? If so, in what way? Through more arts, sports and recreation? Or with further class time? Would the idea be to help parents by better synchronizing the work and school day, and allowing them to focus on work till the workday ends? What about teachers? How would they be affected? Surely, they would need to be paid more, and negotiations over their terms of work would need to happen. But at the same time, one of our guests says it should be remembered that teachers are hired to teach, and not to babysit. 

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

  1. Foster Roberts, Principal at the Ottos Comprehensive Secondary School.
  2. Joshuanette Francis, a teacher here in Antigua and Barbuda.
  3. Guishonne Powell, President of the National Youth Council.

  4. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on July 25th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

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    The Big IssuesBy The Big Issues Production Team