The poll question in yesterday's STAR sought to find out how people felt about schools being open on Saturdays. Not surprisingly, the majority of the respondents did not think this was a good idea.

Such a move would have a serious impact on students, teachers and school administrators. The fact that teachers are already clamouring for a pay increase should be seen as proof that this could never work. There is no doubt that teachers would demand to be compensated for working on weekends.

What is also true is that not many students would respond well to such a decision. Many students already feel that they attend school too often, and surely would be strongly against going to school on a Saturday. For most school-aged children, Saturday is spent at the mall with friends, at the beach, or at home with family.

To take this away from them would perhaps deepen their resentment for school. School administrators would also undoubtedly face more pressure as ancillary and office staff would need to be compensated for working overtime.

But even though it may seem like an inevitable failure, there is the possibility that some good could come from this. There are some children who already spend their Saturdays at extra lessons and there are many others who would be better off if they were doing the same. If schools were open on Saturdays, it would allow all children to have access to one extra day of lessons without having to face an additional cost.

If such a thing were ever to be contemplated, the authorities would have to seriously consider all these things.