The Candle that Burns itself

During my discussion with some of my colleagues, particularly teachers of English, one of the questions they pose to me is whether or not I engage my students in extra-curricular activities, like setting up an English club in which students explore and show their talents. My answer to this question is always NO. This doesn't in the least mean that I am against going beyond the classroom. On the contrary, I encourage this, but personally, I have got no time for that for the time being. What I can't make out is why the ministry of education encourages me to work a lot with students both inside the classroom and outside it, while it doesn't encourage me to pursue my own studies. I do not think there is something wrong with sacrificing the time devoted to these extra-activities for the time I need to read, write, and continue my studies at university. Some of you may say that I simply need to organize my time and strike a balance between my teaching career and my personal studies. In response, I am already striking a balance as long as I have got a part-time job. Is there any more balance to strike? I don't think so. Many teachers, especially those of English, who have spent a large amount of their time preparing for the activities outside their usual working hours haven't pursued their studies. They are merely candles that burn themselves day in and day out until they are extinguished altogether. It is heartening they have so much benefited their students, but it is disheartening that they have unconsciously put an end to their academic life. Why do you think of becoming a candle that burns itself as much as it gains the wax it needs to light the way for a longer time? Frankly, the more I burn myself, the more inclined I become to gain more wax.