We, the students of SSS are asking the school to stop running the MEEA program during normal class time.

Many students believe that MEEA takes away valuable lesson time that should be used for learning important subjects such as English, Maths, Science and HASS. These subjects help us prepare for tests, assignments, exams, and our future education and careers.

Every lesson matters. When students miss classes because of MEEA, they lose time to learn new topics, ask teachers questions, complete work, and study for upcoming assessments. Teachers already have a lot of content to teach in a limited amount of time, and missing lessons can make it harder for students to understand the work and keep up with the rest of the class. And still, teachers expect us to do great and study every night, but little do they know that we have at least 10 other subjects to study for and look at, we also have after school classes that keep us happy, fit and healthy.

Students are expected to do well in tests and assignments, but how are we meant to do well when half our study and class time is taken away? Many students already spend so many hours after school doing homework and studying, which is draining us and making us stay up at night until 12am. School already ruins our brains and sleep, so the least we can do is give us time at school to learn, which is what school is for. Having to catch up on missed lessons because of MEEA adds extra stress and leaves less time for family, hobbies, sports, and resting, like afterschool classes. We don’t have time for our actual life, all because of limited studying and learning time that actually matters. They expect us to do amazing on tests, but how are we meant to do that when OUR actual study time is taken away from us.

We understand that MEEA may have been created to help students develop personal skills, but we believe these activities should not replace time spent learning subjects that have a direct impact on our future. And when will this actually help us in the future? Our grades in MESH subjects can affect what courses we can choose in later years, what universities we can apply to, and what jobs we may be able to get in the future.

School should focus on helping students succeed in the subjects that matter most for their education. Not just does it take away time for students, but it stresses out our teachers as well, having to squeeze in and reschedule everything, because we are behind because of MEEA. MEEA should be held as an optional activity for students who want to take part. We have the right to say no.

We respectfully ask St Stephen's High School to remove the MEEA program from class periods so students can spend more time learning real subjects and preparing for the real tests and assessments that matter and will help shape our futures. We should have the freedom and right to say no and get the class time we deserve. Thank you. ©