<![CDATA[Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve]]>A primary school in the west has reportedly made it compulsory for all pupils to bring a book with them to recess, or they would not be allowed to eat.


One parent wrote in to STOMP, to complain about the 'outrageous' school rule .

\"I find it extremely outrageous to hear that primary school students from a prestigious school in Singapore are asked to carry story books with them during recess time and whoever fails to do so will not be allowed to consume any food during this precious 20 to 30 min break which they are given.

The pupils allegedly have to read the books after recess while queueing to go back to class.

\"Just imagine students having to carry book in one hand, a water bottle in another and still having the need to hold their food in probably an imaginary extra hand,\" said the parent.

\"What is this 5 min of reading after recess time going to make ? Personally as a reader, if I'm only given such amount of time, when I pick up the book up again, I will have to re-read the parts which I was asked to read in the first place.

\"Kids are not allowed to eat or purchase ANY food if they fail to bring the books down for recess. What gives the school these rights to forbid my child from eating or take away their break during recess time.

\"When the kids go out to the field to play, the books are to be placed on the floor and everyone who runs or walks pass, steps on it.

The parent added: \"I'm paying for the book, I'm paying the school fees, my child is there to be educated, NOT TORTURED.

http://edvantage.com.sg/edvantage/schoops/715920/Pupils_forced_to_read_during_recess_or_starve.html

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/24553/pupils-forced-to-read-during-recess-or-starveRSS for NodeTue, 28 Apr 2026 21:54:48 GMTThu, 04 Aug 2011 04:18:19 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:31:03 GMT]]>The point of recess is for the kids to let out steam. The school risk having their kids displaying negative behaviours in class because they're not allowed to disspate all those energy after hours of sitting down and focussing on lesson.


Kids ought to just be allowed to run about and let loose during recess, so that they can settle down better in class.

I wonder what kind of principal comes up with ideas like this... probably the kind that doesn't have kids of their own. :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/531528https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/531528Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:31:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:45:13 GMT]]>i think too strict la…my dd did forgot bring story book to school, but she just take out any textbook to read, will be reprimanded by the Junior leader la…but so far still can eat.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529994https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529994Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:45:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:04:25 GMT]]>How do you know which school this is?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529896https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529896Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:04:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:39:19 GMT]]>I am aware they have a new library so curious if the initiative was to promote the use of the library or the message was interpreted wrongly


Good to have someone from the school clarify though

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529399https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529399Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:39:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:38:04 GMT]]>The dictionary def of recess : \"a suspension of business or procedure often for rest or relaxation\"

Its only a 30 min break including the time taken to go from class and queue up and return to class.

The children surely should be free to choose to do what they want to do during this time (within some broad school criteria).

Its not just good intention gone wrong, i would say misplaced priorities .
Myopia is so high in this country, and educational institutions should be encouraging the \"Get Out and Play\",
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1121950/1/.html

The school should seriously reconsider its policy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529395https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529395Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:38:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:28:55 GMT]]>Can’t they implement something more creative?


Why not just put up a big screen in the canteen during recess and play some educational show?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529182https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/529182Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:28:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:52:25 GMT]]>After negative feedback from parents, did the sch stop this practice? Anyone knows?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528936https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528936Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:52:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:43:09 GMT]]>

Kissgurami:
Adults have our lunch time and break time. Surely kids are entitled to their recess as time to breathe rather than have the time taken away for academic reasons....


Saw the uniform on STOMP, kind of surprised the school did such a thing or is there more to it than meets the eye?
Think the school should clarify this issue...their purpose of implementing such a practice during recess time...does it really help? don't they think about the repercussions?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528883https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528883Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:43:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:56:11 GMT]]>Adults have our lunch time and break time. Surely kids are entitled to their recess as time to breathe rather than have the time taken away for academic reasons…


Saw the uniform on STOMP, kind of surprised the school did such a thing or is there more to it than meets the eye?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528667https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528667Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:56:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:37:17 GMT]]>This is a typical unfortunate case of good intention that went very wrong. While the intent was a good one but it was wrongly implemented. Instead of getting the desire outcome, they may be driving the children to dislike reading instead. :sad:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528641https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/528641Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:37:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:43:41 GMT]]>:slapshead: :slapshead: :slapshead:

how can lai dat wan!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527974https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527974Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:43:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:17:12 GMT]]>

Maid:
tankee:

anyone manage to find the original post in stomp?


http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/705360/no_book_no_food_school_forces_pupils_to_read_books_durin.html

Thanks 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527891https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527891Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:17:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:44:54 GMT]]>If this is true, it’s worrying. Shouldn’t recess be about having fun for 20-30min? Run around, read a book, chat with friends - anything so long as it’s not disruptive.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527825https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527825Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:44:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:28:24 GMT]]>

tankee:
anyone manage to find the original post in stomp?

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/705360/no_book_no_food_school_forces_pupils_to_read_books_durin.html

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527794https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527794Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:28:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:35:35 GMT]]>Concerned parents should seriously raise it up to the school.

I am sure DS’s school does not do that, will cross check with him again.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527655https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527655Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:35:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:50:59 GMT]]>anyone manage to find the original post in stomp?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527516https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527516Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:50:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:09:15 GMT]]>Anybody knows which sch is that?

Recess should be for students to eat, relax, go toilet, run around, not to continue reading. The principal is really :siao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527416https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527416Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:09:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:06:51 GMT]]>Ya.. I thought so too.. that the reading is before assembly.. :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527412https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527412Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:06:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:05:33 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
:scared: It may cause side effect as the child :sick: of the books!


I thought most of the schools are encourage reading in the morning before the National Anthem.

My girl usually will spend her recess by playing card games with her few classmates and I think that is quite ok.

:yikes: playing card games = poker ? :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527407https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527407Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:05:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:54:38 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
:scared: It may cause side effect as the child :sick: of the books!


I thought most of the schools are encourage reading in the morning before the National Anthem.

My girl usually will spend her recess by playing card games with her few classmates and I think that is quite ok.

Definition of recess :
A break/pause from doing something eg. work

Thought the purpose of giving the students a recess is to allow them to break and have some food, some rest, some play? Think should feedback to the school.....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527378https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527378Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:54:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:36:24 GMT]]>:scared: It may cause side effect as the child :sick: of the books!


I thought most of the schools are encourage reading in the morning before the National Anthem.

My girl usually will spend her recess by playing card games with her few classmates and I think that is quite ok.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527347https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527347Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:36:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Pupils forced to read during recess, or starve on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:27:35 GMT]]>I thot most schools will request kids to bring books to read before assembly, not forced kids to forgo food to read during recess. Should feedback to school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527332https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/527332Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:27:35 GMT