By Fatima Agarkar, co-founder KA Edu Associates
Over the years with the evolution of the education industry, one would assume with more curriculums and newly operating schools, the ease of making an informed decision about the ‘right’ learning environment for your child
would be a simple reality or just a formality but the truth is that with more choices in terms of academic boards or schools, there is more confusion and for the longest time I have admitted to this, that as educators we simply do not make it easier to capture all of this under one umbrella and break it down for parents to relate to.
The constant ‘upgrade’ that dominates private sector education in terms of new ideas, pedagogies, schooling, however is a sign of progress and that means we are in a better position today than we ever were in terms of learning opportunities for our children and awareness about what we want for our children. The future as well is in good hands as it has the attention of policy makers, managements who want to bring in best practices and embrace effective strategies!
That being said, what do you as a parent have to consider when you look for that ‘perfect’ environment to nurture your child for the next 13-15 years? Safe to say, after almost 20 years in the industry, the question hasn’t changed much and I suspect it will continue to dominate dinner table conversations until the child is in pre or high school.
But before I even begin to share some considerations to bear in mind while making informed decisions, may I remind you that every child eventually finds a school to nurture him/her and the ‘right’ or ‘best’ school is the one that ticks all your boxes and aligns with your vision. A school is a learning environment that will hone your child’s skills but remember, you are your child’s first teacher and your role is equally important in terms of decoding the world at large for your child, as their future won’t be dictated by percentages on mark-sheets but the process, attitude to learning and the skills amassed which aren’t documented in textbooks. A lot of this has to do with the culture and environment at home and your relationship with your child.
A few things to remember when identifying schooling environments:
• Do you understand the difference between national or international curriculums and what the vision and expectations are with different boards under each category? If not, get the research going immediately. Be mindful that this ‘knowledge’ cannot be sourced from Whatsapp chats or mommie network queries. It must be decoded for you by an expert. There are plenty of workshops hosted in pre and high schools to help you with accurate information.
• There are several myths surrounding international education. Commonly heard statements include “nothing happens, no books, no learning they just have fancy infra and are expensive in terms of fees” or “you go to an international school only if you want to go abroad”. As stated, these are myths and need immediate clarification.
• How far is the school from your residence? Commute time is important for the next 15 years and one needs to understand the distance, time, security.
• Does the school have a robust academicand co-curricular programme?? While it is physically impossible to pack in all activities, get familiar with the creative, performing arts, life skills and sports culture of the school.
• Are you familiar with the school history, owners, their vision and ability to back the project, the school leadership team and their communication?
• What is the school’s communication policy? Is there an organised channel of communication which you can easily assess when you visit the school?
• Does learning happen outside the classroom? Are there opportunities for field trips, hands-on learning etc?
• What is the school’s view on technology? Is it an enabler to make learning easier?
• The fee structure and its rationale and your own financial planning — short and long-term — especially if you have siblings in the same school.
• The school’s policy on inclusion — learning difficulties and how does the school support behavioural challenges?
• Have you spoken to other parents with children enrolled in the school for a neutral perspective?
• Cross-check if the school has been ranked by authentic organisations like EducationWorld, to understand its strengths.
• Does the school encourage student participation in academic and cocurricular activities?
• Are professional development programmes and upgrades in place for teachers?
• After a school tour, are you convinced the school’s vision aligns with yours?
Interestingly, my considerations list features the academic board as merely one ingredient to your decision making. A school is therefore much more than the academic board that assesses knowledge and provides certification. While knowledge imparted remains the same for all academic boards, it is the learning process and environment that makes a difference! As a mother, I picked a school where I knew my child would be happy, encouraged and corrected, guided and motivated and also allowed to be himself. For me, a 45/45 is not the goal for my son — I want him to learn to collaborate, adjust, be respectful, ethical and responsible and most importantly, happy!
You need to have a clear vision for your child before you get absorbed into the rat race for admissions!!
Also read: India’s premier school boards league
