Should You Opt for a Boarding School
Education has been one of the prime agenda any parent would have for his ward, and as the child progresses in age one would think of all the options that are available as far as schooling is concern. Today the competition is rising and its imperative that one take a focused approach than too just admit the ward to a school. So the options are Home Schooling, Neighborhood School, Best School in the area, City and so on, and then there are Boarding Schools.
Since this topic is on Boarding School lets deep dive into the topic and ascertain the advantages and disadvantages in the Boarding School.
Am sure all would be familiar with Boarding Schools, they are the Children’s living on the campus, have class together, food in the campus and thus have it together living under the common residential building. Now, choosing a school is not that simple as one would want to think for, it depends on many factors, because each child is an individual and has individual preferences and needs similarly each school has their own set of missions and visions to attend, thus its important that one chose the school that suits the need of the child as per his needs and personality.
Coming on to the advantages that a Boarding School might lead into – Studies has shown that boarding school Children’s have succeeded significantly higher in their higher education and life ahead. Research shows that ~75% of the Children’s from boarding mentioned that they are ready for college as compared to ~25% of the normal school Children’s. In terms of advance degree too, 50% earn higher degree in comparison to only 21% from the public School, the Children’s here love the way of life and are very satisfied with the experience. So, it’s time to ascertain what are the reasons for such an outcome?
- Unlike normal schools, Boarding schools are 24x7 the place of with learning environment, which leads to growth and development in the Children with ample of facilities like swimming pools, performance art centers, gym, libraries, sport courts and ground, various extra-curricular activities and training facilities.
- Wider Curriculum and subject coupled with activities, and research has further shown that boarding school Children’s spend more time both in learning/academic as well as extra-curricular activities.
- The limited environment in boarding school helps the Children’s to explore opportunities and their interest domains with lesser intervention and distraction, which also leads to help them ascertain their hidden talents, strength, skills and work upon weakness as well. Today’s world is full of activities like theaters, sports, robotics, carpentry, drama, coding, music, arts, various sports, drawings etc. the facilities and equipment available there help them try and explore, here they also gain leadership skills.
- Being alone, they begin to do their own small and big things which leads them to build upon their confidence, boarding school exposes Children’s to being alone, take their own decision at the time of crisis, leads to decision making skills, thought process development. Becomes Independent, and self-reliant, by organizing their daily needs from soap to washed and ironed informs, other dresses.
- One of the most important learning or habit that they inculcate is about being Disciplined. Here, the time for food, study, playing, watching TV, everything is as per schedule this help them to be for regimented in comparison to their peers studying in public schools
- As the motto is more about Education – the goal is well met, since they live in the campus, it’s easy to seek help for their studies around the clock, the schools can also help with more classes for Children’s who struggle and co habituating with peers will definitely help them to learn from someone.
- The other important aspect is the faculty, the teachers in the boarding schools are well trained and academic experts, and they have more responsibility than merely being and teacher. They will play the role of coaches, mentors, guardians and inspirational figure for the Children’s. The amount of interaction between the teachers and Children’s is very high in boarding schools as compared to Public Schools, and the teachers are more observant.
- Bonding and Friendship – What is the most important take away for these Children’s is the wonderful time they spent with their friends and classmates, because its beyond school its an community in itself, and thus the friendship are deeper and strong bonded. This further help in benefits as influence from friends help adopt good or bad behavior, studies also shown us that ~75% Children’s from boarding schools are motivated by their peers in contrast only ~45% happens in public schools.
- Social Skill Enhancement – Another important aspect that really helps build is the social skills, here the Children’s learn to communicate, co-operative and help solve problems, we are in the day and time where -who you know is equally important as what you know, so here one can build wide and diverse network with individuals which comes handy at the later stage of life and during employment.
Know that we have checked on the advantages. Let us, also look at their disadvantages, to name few :
- Cost – The cost of boarding school is too high and has been increasing day by day, so it’s important to take a look at this aspect prior to we decide
- Extra-curricular activities which are not offered by the school get marginalized, especially for those talented Children’s may be in sports or others which are not offered with the Campus
- Adjusting – Many children don’t like this monotonous regimented lifestyle of boarding and thus they find it very hard to connect back with their families too after being away for so long, further they want to be their own master and spent their time themselves.
- Co-education is one of the important needs of the day, mostly, boarding schools are either boys-only or girls-only. This forms a barrier in terms of adaptability and interaction.
- Academic Pressure – While in boarding school the pressure in competing, excelling in studies is always on, its constantly hitting the child, as compared to regular school where the child can get out of the pressure once he is out from the school.
- Bullying is another risk which is hard to weed out in boarding schools where the child spends most of his time with his peers and classmates.
- From the parents’ perspective they too might find the separation from the child emotionally wrecking. Coupled with Homesickness for the child though he/she is surrounded with lots of children with common interest and goals.
What is the care one should take prior to sending a child to a Boarding School?
- Explain to him why and how boarding school will benefit him.
- Though the child is in boarding school you should keep a eye on his performance, be in touch with his teacher, mentor and roommate.
- Talk to him often and understand what is happening and do trust him on what he/she is saying and take the story seriously and raise it
- Check on the special needs the child would need and raise with the school management time to time.
- Be watchful for any signs of unhappiness, lot many times the child doesn’t voice this out with the fear of disappointing you.
- As per research, the ideal age of a child to be admitted to a boarding school is between 8- 12 years, exposing them at early age will help them get accustomed to it. However, you are the best judge and also your child is ready to have this experience. When we choose a boarding school, we are cementing the child’s foundation during their formative years.
Thus, there are many advantages and likewise disadvantages of boarding school, the decision to opt for your child schooling will entirely depend on you and your child’s needs. It’s advisable to reach out to other parents whose children are in boarding schools to get to know more about their experiences.
Sanjeevani Garaty.