Rearing a child is the best feeling any human being can go through in this world. As the child grows and makes his place among the other people in the society, there are two things that stand by him:
1. The morals and values that you provide him with
2. The education he receives at school / college / university
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Every parent wants the best for his child. And when they first face the trials and tribulations of choosing a school for him, they feel that very first tinge of concern or worry that surrounds you as initial symptoms of parenthood. Well I am undergoing that exact feeling now along with my wife as we do the rounds of various schools to get Arnav admitted to Nursery. I keep telling my wife and myself: I am just surprised at these stupid parents who just want to let the whole world know that they had their ward in the’best’ school. How does it matter? Every school is the same at this stage.
But inside, I also wish my child in the best of the environment, with the best of teachers and among competent individuals so that I give him a strong foundation. If I get slack, I may provide him with the seond best option, or the third best. Now that isn’t going to impact him drastically in the short run. But somehow, it would leave me with the feeling that I, as a parent, did not live upto my duty and reponsibility and that I deprived my child of what he deserved.
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Let us discuss a few important factors which may influence your decision of choosing school for your child.
Caution: Be alert as the schools very strategically announce the start and close dates for the admission process.
1. Pre-Nursery and Play Schools:
Do they help? Well, it is debatable. Many premiere schools are against these play schools. I read in the Times of India that a principal said that it takes them a good time to make the child unlearn what it learns at these playschools. Well, I would say that there are too many play schools that have opened smelling the need of working parents. Barring such schools, some genuine play schools do help in making your child go through that pseuodo environment which takes away the fear factor and helps the child make friends and learn a few basic things and at the same time have fun! But I am surprised at how some schools tend to be judgemental about a child not having the’potential’. My suggestion is donot take their advice too seriously.
2. The Price factor:
Educating your child is a costly affair nowdays. Everything comes with a price. The tuition fees itself runs to thousands. There is no dearth of schools with the’International’ tag attached to them which provide AC classrooms and library, swimming pools and huge playgrounds and lots of extra curricular activities and god knows what(well ask the school authorities, they would make you feel as if you would be rejecting doors to heaven if you donot admit your child there). There are too many’education shops’ open there which just want to mint money. My personal opinion is a child should stay away from luxuries during his entire school life. Let him understand that everything doesnot come on a platter.
So, a BIG NO to such luxurious schools.
3.Proximity to your residence:
Many schools prefer local residents. In fact, a residence proof is also required at the time of submitting the form. Some actually want to know how many kilometers is your residence from their school. It works both for the school as well as for the parents. Imagine being summoned by the teacher(s) or the Principal or even attending the school functions and travelling miles to reach there. You would be listening to abuses from your boss at work and spouse alike. Leave that, if the child misses the school bus and looks at you askance, you would have no other option than to es*ort him to school in whatever way possible. So, why not keep it close if possible?
4. Understanding your child:
Every child is unique. And no one understands your child better than you do. The standard age that they look for a nursery admission is 3+ while applying and 4+ by September next. But if at all your child seems to be taking time in being’normal’ and mixing with strangers, just pause and decide for yourself. Prolonging his admission won’t make him a backward student, rather the time you spend with him feel confident and have a good self esteem would be thousdand times better than hastily admitting him with the fear that he maybe’left behind’.
5. It’s not the end of the road:
If at all, in spite of the best of your sincere efforts, you are not able to get your child admitted in the school of your preference, donot run from pillar to post or make yourself pitiable. Just relax. Let the child spend his initial carefree days playing and learning through fun. Donot make him conscious of your’failure’ in not being able to get him admitted to the best of schools. It will paralyse his growth in the long run.
PS: I have used the male gender for the child to make it easy to explain. Needless to say, it applies to both the genders. And, that reminds me that there are still some parents even in the upwardly mobile societies who discriminate between the quality of education provided to a male child and one to the female child. Please, donot even think of that.