I AGREE with Mr Tong Yong Sheng's observation that "when resources are limited, participatory sports are the first to get axed, eliminating opportunities for student involvement" ("Why the young aren't taking part in sports"; last Saturday).
My daughter goes to a neighbourhood primary school in the eastern part of Singapore. She is a keen badminton player, as my family play the game to keep fit. However, she is very disappointed that her school does not offer badminton as a co-curricular activity (CCA).
In fact, the school - which is doing especially well in volleyball in competitions - offers only two sports CCAs: volleyball and table tennis.
My neighbour's son, who attends the same school and is a soccer enthusiast, is also disappointed that the school does not offer soccer as a CCA. He ended up being a Scout as he is not interested in volleyball or table tennis.
My daughter does not take part in any CCA as she is not interested in the ones offered by the school.
Schools should not focus just on sports CCAs that can win them medals, and axe other CCAs that can't. This deprives students of a chance to learn and enjoy a wider variety of sports.
Can the Ministry of Education comment on this trend adopted by schools?
Tan Kok Lim
My daughter goes to a neighbourhood primary school in the eastern part of Singapore. She is a keen badminton player, as my family play the game to keep fit. However, she is very disappointed that her school does not offer badminton as a co-curricular activity (CCA).
In fact, the school - which is doing especially well in volleyball in competitions - offers only two sports CCAs: volleyball and table tennis.
My neighbour's son, who attends the same school and is a soccer enthusiast, is also disappointed that the school does not offer soccer as a CCA. He ended up being a Scout as he is not interested in volleyball or table tennis.
My daughter does not take part in any CCA as she is not interested in the ones offered by the school.
Schools should not focus just on sports CCAs that can win them medals, and axe other CCAs that can't. This deprives students of a chance to learn and enjoy a wider variety of sports.
Can the Ministry of Education comment on this trend adopted by schools?
Tan Kok Lim
