My opinion and analysis of this topic may not sit well with some readers but it a personal observation and an experience I have gathered as a one time pupil, a teacher, a parent and presently, an administrator of a school. These experiences have given me enough information and the capacity to give a personal but rational analysis of this topic.
School parties/events are organised by schools mainly to celebrate achievements, show love, showcase talents/creativity and appreciate hardwork. They are done in different periods of the school calendar. At the beginning of the year is the valentines day, then the children’s day, Workers day, Teachers day, Easter Party, End of the Session Party and Christmas party. These celebrations are done in many forms and different dimensions by schools, depending on their choice and strength.
School parties are one of the backbones of a school’s reputation and the cornerstone of most school admission strategies. Parents take pride in it, and learners derive joy from it. Schools operate and network through the different activities they do, and parties are the major pathway of showcasing schools and their standard. The coordination, planning, quality, and outlook of these performances make an impression of a school in terms of their skills, capability, capacity, potentials and resources. The presentations and performances flaunted in school parties are usually very entertaining, educative and fun. The pros and the importance of school parties can not be over emphasized, especially the graduation party where friends and family gather to celebrate their loved ones and to make and share memories.
Sadly, these attributes which make school parties worthwhile are their sore spots. The scourge of competition, display of obsession, imposed logistics, excessive expectations, sheer competition and so on, which are prevalent in school parties of these days, have counteracting effects on its original purpose. The tint in school parties is gradually fading with priorities getting misplaced. This has caused a lot of internal and external strife between schools, parents, teachers and pupils. It is no secret that anything good is worth doing but excessive indulgence can turn a good to a bad. The hype in these activities and the compulsive agitation it brings is beginning to overshadow the true intentions of it. I have seen, read and witnessed parents being under unnecessary pressure to dress their children beyond their capacity, just to fit in. One can hardly recognize some children on their party outfit because they’re dressed like adults, some girls fix nails and lashes, wear wigs and high heels and look awkward in their feigned appearances. The parents who are the guests also dress exaggerated to impress and to belong.
On the school side, the burden of coordinating, organizing and planning parties can be a handful if not planned well and early. Planning parties should be within the schools budget and the party fees paid by parents should align with the schools interest, their environment and audience. Some schools overstress teachers beyond their capacity. Some teachers are compelled to deal with the distinct switch from their daily class work to strenuous party planning.
During my years in primary and secondary school, the school outdoor activities and the parties we participated in were mainly for fun. The activities were more for socializing, the jumping and gyrating kind of dance, the food and drinks for the feel, the giggling and dancing for entertainment and so on. The party wear, food and activities were merely to engage and entertain. Parents were under no pressure to level up or be noticed. These days, parties are overhyped, its about feeling noticed, promoting damaging liaisons and living it all fake.
No doubt, school parties are an indispensable part of learning. They have always been and will always be. They offer opportunities to some pupils who naturally do not have the opportunity of plays at home, concert, social events, cinemas, being in parks, solving puzzles, and playing games. These children gain acceptance and sense of belonging when they’re chosen by their schools to participate in party activities. Generally, school parties provide a change from the tedious school work to a relaxing event of fun.
Much as these benefits abound in school parties, there are some loopholes that need to be filled. Discovering and engaging in a healthy party culture is a key factor to be considered, and every Nigerian school is implored to seek a purpose and a balance in this regard.
Amara Ann Unachukwu
