Game on at school as eSports go mainstream

When you think of gaming, the first image that might come to mind is a greasy-haired adolescent, slumped over in his oversized wingback chair, surrounded by chocolate wrappers, crisps packets, and Red Bull cans, all in a darkened bedroom. If so, think again. While you were sleeping, the video game industry has exploded, and is now bigger than the movie industry and North American sports combined! Gaming, now called eSports, has gone mainstream, and our schools need to get with the program(mers).

Gone are the days when parents rolled their eyes at sullen teenagers asking, “Do you think you can play video games for the rest of your life?” The burgeoning industry has opened up careers in coaching; coding; marketing; and journalism. There’s a need for casters; stream producers; video game commentators; eSports managers; cybersecurity experts; programmers; developers; and much more. Team Liquid, one of the most successful professional eSports teams, has won more than $48 million (R849 million) in prize money, proving that eSports can offer lucrative salaries for top players. But beyond the players themselves, the industry surrounding eSports is booming, creating jobs for a variety of roles that support the games, teams, and events.

Beyond a focus on future employment opportunities, eSports offers a dynamic educational tool that opens pathways to develop critical skills. The fact is that a broad range of skills are developed through eSports. It develops critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. It’s not just about playing video games in isolation or endlessly honing reflexes. eSports requires teamwork, communication, and strategic co-ordination, skills that are just as vital in the workplace as they are on the digital battlefield. Competitive games like those used in eSports demand that players work together, solve problems, and make split-second decisions, much like traditional sports. In fact, many professional eSports teams live and practise together, emphasising collaboration, communication, and trust. These are precisely the skills schools aim to cultivate in students, so why not do it through a medium that students are already passionate about?

The idea that gaming is a solitary activity is also outdated. A Washington Post and University of Massachusetts Lowell poll from 2018 found that more than half of teens and young adults play or watch games with friends they know from other activities. eSports programmes in schools can bring students together side by side during practice and competitions, just like any other sports team.

One of the most powerful aspects of eSports is its inclusivity. In eSports, no-one is defined by their gender, race, or physical size; everyone competes on an equal footing. This allows students who might not fit into traditional sports or social groups to find a place where they belong. For students who struggle to make face-to-face connections, eSports can provide an opportunity to be part of a team, fostering a sense of belonging and community within their school. It’s also a diverse and vibrant space that encourages students to celebrate each other’s achievements in something they’re all passionate about.

eSports has been part of youth culture for decades, and schools in Europe have already embraced eSports programmes, leveraging them as a tool for learning and skill development. It’s time for our schools to recognise its potential as a tool for engagement. For students who are less interested in traditional sport or classroom activities, eSports can be a way to stimulate massive student interest and engagement and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.

A frequent criticism of eSports is that it’s not a “real” sport. Though it’s true that eSports don’t involve physical endurance in the same way as traditional sports, they still demand intense training, discipline, and mental acuity. Professional eSports players often train for hours a day, honing their hand-eye co-ordination, quick decision-making, and strategic thinking. They face high-stress situations and must perform under pressure, skills that translate directly into real-world challenges. Additionally, many professional players integrate physical exercise into their routines to maintain stamina and prevent the physical strain that can come with long hours of gaming. Just like traditional athletes, eSports players must balance their mental and physical health to perform at their best. And just like traditional sports, eSports teach students the value of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their gaming careers.

Another criticism is that video games and excessive screen time lead to increased aggression while the games themselves are often violent and may promote and lead to violence. The latter claim has, in fact, been refuted in a massive study by Oxford University. Nevertheless, schools should be careful not to offer games meant for older users – M (mature)-rated – and should exercise discretion based on their particular values. On the subject of safety, students should be taught guidelines and protocols to follow when interacting with people they don’t know personally, and supervision should be a given.

When it comes to regulating screen time, this is the challenge of the age. Screens are an inevitable part of our lives, and we all need to be role models for effective time management, teaching children how to juggle school, homework, physical training, nutrition, and gaming. Ultimately, a player’s effectiveness comes down to how well he or she can focus during a game, so shorter bursts of play are actually in the players’ best interests. It’s also only at professional level that players spend all day on the screen.

As schools seek new ways to engage students and prepare them for the future, eSports offers a compelling solution. Offering students the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves, whether through gaming, competition, or community building, is an investment in their personal, academic, and professional growth. In today’s digital world, that’s an investment worth making.

King David Primary School Victory Park is excited to be the first Jewish school in Johannesburg to open a state-of-the-art eSports lab. The school offers a tour to find out more. Contact 011 446 7870 or vanstadena@sabje.co.za

• Kevin Lees is head of school at King David Primary School Victory Park.