Past GT essay - In some countries, schools are open late so that children can be looked after when parents are at work. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

In nuclear families where both parents are working there has been a growing trend of schools which open till the late hours. This essay shall look into the pros and cons of such schools.

There are many advantages of such schools. The main advantage is that attendance in such schools can provide children with supervision during this crucial time. When the dismissal bell rings, many children go home to empty houses and many others hang out on the streets until their parents return home. Children left unsupervised after school often fall prey to deviant behaviors that are harmful to them, to their schools, and to their communities. They are more likely to be involved in delinquent acts during these hours. Numerous reports have documented that a high proportion of juvenile crimes are committed between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day. Such extended school hours occupy students productively during these hours.

In addition to providing supervision, after-school and extended school-day programs are now being seen as a means of improving academic achievement of students who are not achieving as well as they need to during regular school hours. These schools are also providing opportunities for providing social, cultural, and recreational activities. In this way they provide enriching experiences that broaden children’s perspectives and improve their socialization.

On the other hand, such schools also have their demerits. The most important is that these are generally very costly. They may be hard on the pockets of many parents. Another disadvantage is that once the child gets home there is very little time left to interact with the parents. The child is so tired that after coming home he takes his meals and goes to bed.

To conclude, the benefits derived from the use of such schools definitely outweigh the demerits. They are the best option when both parents are working and there is no one at home to care for them. As far as the cost factor is concerned, parents can weigh the advantages according to their needs and take decisions accordingly.