Are club advisers really necessary?

According to ASB, advisers are an essential component of every club. But when one walks into almost any club meeting, the adviser is sitting behind their desk, grading papers and paying no attention to the club whatsoever. Yet clubs are obliged to keep this redundant relationship with advisers and vice-versa.

Almost every club requires a teacher’s classroom to hold meetings in, and it is these teachers who usually assume the responsibility as adviser for that particular club. But often, the only contribution they make is providing a room for meetings.  

In fact, the requirement of club advisers is often more detrimental than beneficial to clubs, because clubs often have tough times finding them. If a teacher doesn’t agree to help, it means the end of the club.

Thus, the requirement of a club adviser should not only be removed but should also be replaced with a policy that benefits students, such as pre-assigning rooms to certain clubs upon approval.

Not only is the requirement of a club adviser a hinderance to the formation of a club, but it is also an unnecessary burden for the advisers themselves.

A lot of the teachers who are advisers make use of their lunches by going out or grading assignments. But with the burden of being confined to their room and with the distraction of clubs having their discussions, advisers are often not in the most suitable conditions to have a productive lunch.

The requirement of club advisers is a detriment to both parties, and both would greatly benefit if this archaic rule was removed and replaced.