Break over, children troop back to classes

Back to school: A boy busy doing homework after school ends for the day. Pictures: Syafie Nadie.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
SLOWER traffic and empty shops in the mornings are a sure sign of the school term reopening after a 10-day break.
The students looked sluggish as they were dropped off at school to start their second term yesterday. Some looked barely awake while others just showed disappointment as they trudged to their classrooms.
A 13-year-old Form Two student, who only wanted to be called Siti, told The Brunei Times that though she felt relaxed coming from the break, she felt the holiday was far too short.
During the holiday, she said she sometimes went to the library or spent time with her friends, but most of the time, she just watched TV.
Saiful, 17, in Form Four, said he took the opportunity to spend more time with his family, adding he initiated a number of outings which they all enjoyed. Despite having tuition classes twice a week, he said he looked forward to the school break.
He conceded that the best part of being on holiday is being able to stay up late and wake up late.
Both agreed that coming back to school was not all bad as they got to meet with their classmates and other friends at school.
Siti shared that part of the reason why she was eager to go to school every morning was to catch up with her friends before class.
"Seeing them outside of school is different," she said.
A government official, who wished to be known only as Hj Ridzuan, 45, said that the children deserve a break from studying.
A father of three, he admitted it was difficult for the children to face the fact that it was over.
"Time flies when you're having fun," he said, laughing at how he had to coax them to go back to school.
He told The Brunei Times that he made sure they did not spoil their holiday by making sure they finished their homework first before they could officially put their feet up.
"As long as they still have school responsibilities, it must be dealt with first," he added. It allows them to enjoy the remainder of the school break a lot more." The Brunei Times
The students looked sluggish as they were dropped off at school to start their second term yesterday. Some looked barely awake while others just showed disappointment as they trudged to their classrooms.
A 13-year-old Form Two student, who only wanted to be called Siti, told The Brunei Times that though she felt relaxed coming from the break, she felt the holiday was far too short.
During the holiday, she said she sometimes went to the library or spent time with her friends, but most of the time, she just watched TV.
Saiful, 17, in Form Four, said he took the opportunity to spend more time with his family, adding he initiated a number of outings which they all enjoyed. Despite having tuition classes twice a week, he said he looked forward to the school break.
He conceded that the best part of being on holiday is being able to stay up late and wake up late.
Both agreed that coming back to school was not all bad as they got to meet with their classmates and other friends at school.
Siti shared that part of the reason why she was eager to go to school every morning was to catch up with her friends before class.
"Seeing them outside of school is different," she said.
A government official, who wished to be known only as Hj Ridzuan, 45, said that the children deserve a break from studying.
A father of three, he admitted it was difficult for the children to face the fact that it was over.
"Time flies when you're having fun," he said, laughing at how he had to coax them to go back to school.
He told The Brunei Times that he made sure they did not spoil their holiday by making sure they finished their homework first before they could officially put their feet up.
"As long as they still have school responsibilities, it must be dealt with first," he added. It allows them to enjoy the remainder of the school break a lot more." The Brunei Times

