Indian schools have, historically, always put a great deal of importance into academics, relegating sports and extracurricular activities to the back seat. This may be so since the world is changing and so is the significance of the well-rounded development. The question then is: Should Indian schools place more importance on sports and extracurricular activities? And the answer is a loud, resounding yes.
Sports and extracurricular activities are pivotal in building a child’s overall personality. They keep a child physically fit, mentally healthy, cooperative, disciplined, and a leader. In a world where children are increasingly spending more hours on TV and are getting lifestyle diseases at an early age, the promotion of sports in schools helps them maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. It also teaches them resilience and helps them learn to handle failures, which are essential life skills.
Extracurricular activities include music, drama, debate, and art that nurture creativity and self-expression. They allow the students to find their talents outside of textbooks and develop confidence. Not every child is a bright student, so diverse opportunities guarantee that each one finds his strength and passion. Many successful personalities in sports and entertainment attribute the school activities they participated in for helping them acquire the essential skills that led them to success.
Besides, doing sports and other extra-curricular activities develops social life and emotional intelligence. These allow students to befriend, learn how to communicate, and learn the importance of teamwork, just like they are learning academically. Schools must therefore equip students for such a world because employers in the modern-day market look for a well-rounded employee who can be adaptable, innovative, and a team player.
Despite these advantages, most Indian schools still consider extracurricular activities and sports as secondary to academic success. There is extreme pressure on scoring high marks and little time left for anything else. While the importance of good marks cannot be denied, a system that teaches only marks may be restrictive and stressful. In Finland and the United States, extracurriculars are so well blended into the school system that children are more well-rounded and cheerful.
For effective change, schools must give dedicated time for sports and extracurriculars rather than making them optional. The infrastructure for sports should be improved, with trained professionals guiding students. Parents also work as key players by encouraging children to explore the activities beyond textbooks rather than focusing on only the grades of their children.
In conclusion, Indian schools need to move towards a more balanced approach that nurtures both academic and non-academic talents. Education is not about memorizing facts but preparing students for life. By giving equal importance to sports and extracurricular activities, schools can create an environment where students thrive not just as learners but as well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world.