These days many schools have removed physical education from the syllabus in order to teach other advanced subjects like computers, management etc. How far is this move good or bad for the students?

Written and posted by Nova English Campus. Possible band score: 9.0

Nowadays due to the pressure of career-oriented subjects such as business studies, many schools have either dropped or reduced the importance of physical education. Though this may appear to be necessary to excel in studies for a bright career, far-reaching consequences of curtailing physical education cannot be neglected.

Firstly, forcing students to study for long hours without any physical activities will definitely ruin their health. They may lose their concentration by doing a sedentary activity like studying for long time at a stretch. The saying ‘a sound mind in a sound body’ reiterates the need of physical exercise. Students need to take part in games in their growing stage. However, educational institutions focus mainly on career development and belittle the importance of physical fitness.

Education means the overall development of one’s personality. Engaging in sports or games improves socialization and prepares the students for a better life. But unfortunately our youngsters are only interested in surfing the net or playing computer games. Unlike in past, students now do not walk to school or do any work at home. So physical training must be made compulsory in all schools.

Another reason for supporting this argument is the increasing number of overweight children in modern societies. Physical education in schools can make sure that they stay physically fit and mentally active. In order to ensure the overall well being of a student, academic studies and physical training should go hand in hand.

To recapitulate, as exercise enables students to perform well in their studies, fitness programmes and sports competitions should be included in school curriculum. For sure, ‘all work and no play’ will have negative impact on students.

                                                      

                Writer: Jacob                

                                                      

News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?

IELTS sample essay Posted by Nova English Campus  (Possible bands 9.0)

There are many co-related factors that the editors need to consider before finalizing the content of the news to present to the public – whether in print or on air.

The most important factor to consider is how relevant and latest the news is. If the editors pick up a piece of news which has already been talked about a lot, it may put a reader away. Likewise, in this cut-throat competitive media world, everyone is interested in the latest of the latest news. The next thing of consideration is the target audience. The interest in a particular news varies from person to person. To make it clearer, a teenager is more likely to be attracted by the news about the modern fashion, gizmos and sports updates; but such things may not appeal to a businessman or religious person. It is a big challenge for editors to satisfy the readers or viewers.

Apart, the news content must not trigger controversies, unrest or riots among people. Publishing explicit articles on religion, politics or other emotive issues must be handled with a lot of care. The world has witnessed a number of social unrest and bloodshed ignited by newspapers and other media. Therefore, the editors must make the content safe, informative and read worthy.

It is also true that each morning welcomes us with a lot of exclusive news coverage on crime, sex and violence. Interestingly, it seems that newspapers and television channels are competing hard to give as much bad news as possible to the masses.

Obviously it would be much better if people were exposed to plenty of really good, inspiring and informative news.


                                 
         Writer: Jacob