We live in a society where our learning is restricted for the sake of education. The Education system is ridiculously designed so that students are classed as stupid and as a waste if they can not regurgitate information that is funneled into their heads. The current system forces students into pre-designed moulds that not everyone can fit into. Students are seldom allowed to ask “why” or “why not”, but are pointed to the one accepted answer.
The only salvation form this drone creating system is the extra-curricular activities that schools allow.
The Ministry of Education has now slammed its manure covered iron fist down upon alternative avenues that allow students their individuality, creativity and excellence. Is it sensible to think that all students can be educated the same way? Maybe this is why our eduction system is failing so many students and academic drop outs. Maybe this is why as a society, we in Trinidad and Tobago can not seem to develop.
Development does not mean constructing big buildings and investing millions into technology. It is about ensuring that your people are safe, happy, comfortable, and given an equal opportunity to excel in activities that they feel comfortable with, without jeopardizing the rights of others.
The United Nations describes development as having choice. In Trinidad and Tobago we constantly complain about not having choices and here we see a Minister of Education further restricting choice. People here need to start fighting for their rights if they wish to not be taken advantage of in this apparent fallacy of a democracy that we live in.
Is there no possible way to have all these activities work together with the education system to give students different avenues through which to develop? Many of out local celebrities and role models, like Kees and Kes the Band have credited their success partially to extra-curricular activities. What about Brian Lara and the team of Soca Warriors; did they not start at school as well?
It is difficult to believe that every individual sees, experiences and understands the world in exactly the same way. Removing extra-curricular also reduces the socialization avenues available for students to learn about the world. They can not teach that in a classroom.
As Albert Einstein stated, "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." 
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