KARACHI:
In most Pakistani educational institutes, there is little emphasis on sports, arts and other recreational activities. Both teachers and parents constantly pressure students to remain focused on academics and achieve good results. Schools do not offer separate lessons for different activities due to shortages of resources and facilities. Therefore, there is little room for students to explore their talent and potential in different recreational activities.
Sports should be particularly integrated into all school curriculums as it improves both the physical and mental health of students. Sports can help students build resilience and courage and foster teamwork and decision-making abilities, which can contribute to their interpersonal skills and support them later in their professional lives. Considering that students face severe pressure and stress because of academic competition, physical activity is crucial to provide them with a break. Physical activity such as running or playing a sport improves memory, brain functioning, quality of sleep, and reduces anxiety and depression. Similarly, activities such as art or singing can also offer a form of relief to students. Art helps with navigating and expressing emotions, becoming more self-aware, and building focus.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan students with skills or talent in the athletic or creative fields are discouraged from pursuing a profession in them. These fields are stereotyped as a pastime or hobby, which cannot bring long-term stability or satisfaction. Around the world, countries have prioritised and funded different fields and witnessed global success. Therefore, Pakistan must do the same and begin by encouraging all schools to incorporate some form of extracurricular activities into educational curriculums.
Muhammad Zarif
Kech
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2022.
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