Years ago a student frequently missed
classes. Each absence had a valid excuse
like work got in the way or family emergency.
He was concerned that I wouldn’t believe him, or think less of him for
poor attendance. I reassured him that I
respected his taking care of priorities.
In light of giri and gimu, he should put more important
things ahead of Karate training. If someone
missed class to laze around, watch TV, or just didn’t feel like it … that’s
when I’d have a problem with them. The
same holds true with school children. I
will never say that Karate is more
important than studying, homework, and family responsibilities. That said, I now believe that Karate is more
important than studying, homework, and family responsibilities. What??!? Here are two important points:
1- A student cannot get hurt if s/he makes
a mistake in Social Studies. A student
does not risk hurting someone in a Math class.
A Karate student who does not train diligently runs the risk of injuring
himself/herself or other students if their skills dull due to lack of training.
2- Parents often face various dilemmas -
the child’s homework is not finished, or there’s an upcoming test, or a special
project is due. Of course the solution
is simple; don’t go to Karate class tonight.
While I realize that school work is a priority, the parent fails to take
advantage of a major Karate training benefit.
We teach students how to be more efficient and effective in physical
motion and mental acuity. A good Karate
student learns how to prioritize and get the job done. Parents should assist their children in
fitting variables like homework, study, chores, family responsibilities, etc. around the fixed
Karate class schedule. We should not be
the first thing to go because of poor planning.
Shaky attendance is frustrating for the student as their skills are slow
to develop, holds the class back as some cannot keep up, and puts all in danger
as the irregular attendees’ skills are not honed.
Most attendance problems can be solved in
three words: Come. To. Class.
