Academic, ECA Are Equally Important: Students
By Nela Awang

Bandar Seri Begawan - Are academic pursuits more important to Bruneian students, or do they prefer the extra-curricular activities?

An education is not something that is restricted to textbooks and school curriculums. People can learn through personal interaction with one another, by reading or through the Internet and other forms of mass media.

However, the image that comes to mind when one mentions education is a school setting with textbooks, assignments and homework galore.

Schools in Brunei also offer a supplementary source of education: extra-curricular activities (ECA), which are conducted at least once a week.

But which do students prefer, learning through lessons and by the book, or through ECA, which are mainly sports and games?

The Brunei Times interviewed several students to find out what they think is more significant between the two.

Nur Farijah Ahmad, 18, from the Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School in Mentiri said that she was caught between the two, as both play a significant role in the development of students into useful citizens. .

"I guess they are both important. But, its common perceived that academics are more important than ECA, but I think ECA is vital too," Nur Farijah said.

She added that both are forms of education that provide different knowledge and ways of learning.

'So, I think students just have to balance (between the two)," the student concluded.

Another student, Dk Siti Sabirah Pg Alauddin, also 18, agreed with the idea.

She added that from her own experience in her part-time job, a student's ECA involvement can enhance one's resume and raise one's marketability when applying for jobs. "Academic-wise, you should possess sufficient qualifications so that the employer is assured you are worthy of the job, while your extra-curricular involvement in schools can be an indicator of your, skills and capabilities, she explained.

Meanwhile, a student from the Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College, whose GCE A Level exams results are fast approaching, said that she is making academics her priority. Siti Norsaleha Nohaddin said that getting good academic results in her A-Levels can help her further her studies.

"In any higher institution, academics is the main requirement for the application, as your academic achievements determine how good you are and if you are able to undertake the academic challenges," Siti Norsaleha said.

A teacher from a government secondary school who wished to remain anonymous said that personally, she regards academics as more important than ECA, as the world is becoming more challenging compared to a decade ago, hence necessitating having a sound academic education. "People with higher qualifications get a better job and pay, to be honest," she added.

However, she added, ECA also play a significant role, as they can enhance one's social and communication skills, and allow one to discover and enhance their talents.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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