Educators Suggest Ways to Choose Schools for Children
Given that childen vary in their innate abilities, the choice of which schools they attend in order to maximally realise their potential has become imperative. In this piece, educators share thier views with Peace Obi on what to look out for and how to ch
chools at all levels have one thing in common and that is the vision of meeting the educational needs of students through quality teaching. To achieve uniformity in learning at all levels, various ministries of education coordinate the academic activities of schools through a stipulated scheme of work as contained in the syllabus.
Hence, schools irrespective of their location, size or ownership are expected to work in consonance with the guideline to produce students that can compete with their counterparts across the world.
To achieve the aim of delivering quality education that prepares a child for his/her future challenges, several approaches may be adopted, however, the end result is expected to be the same. It is expected that at the completion of a particular stage such as primary six or senior secondary three, students irrespective of the geographical location of the school attended should be able to sit and pass with reasonable grades terminal examinations such as First School Leaving Certificate or the Senior School Certificate Examination, among others. The location, size and ownership of the school attended the individual should not be the primary determinant factor of the child’s passing grade.
All schools are set up to impart knowledge, but not all may suit the unique learning needs of every child. Hence the issue of choosing the right school for children comes into play. In making a choice of school, some important factors need to be put into consideration in order to appropriately meet the education need of the child. Every child is unique! Though there are some fixed rules put in place by the government to scrutinise operations of schools in the country, approaches and methods to be adopted by individual schools are never fixed. Factors like the person of the child, environment, human and material resources available in every school setting goes a long way in getting the best out of a child educationally, as well as in nurturing the innate ability in a child.
Research indicates that detecting the thin line of uniqueness of one school from the other requires a closer look and ability to dig deep. Thus sieving through the arrays of available schools and being able to come up with a choice that will satisfy the educational need of a child requires active observation of the schools activities among others by parent.
In her opinion, the Proprietress of Olive Fruit Nursery and Primary School, Lagos, Mrs. Susan Edokpolor, said the key factor to be considered when making a choice of a school for a child is the child him/herself, adding that parents need to know some specific psychological needs of the child.
“The unique learning need of the child needs to be established by first of all discovering the child’s learning strengths and weaknesses. Children are unique in their needs. Some need propping from the teacher to participate actively in the class. Some are intelligent, but require additional attention from the teacher to get the best out of them.
“Once the learning ability of the child is known by the parents and by extension the teacher and appropriate attention is paid to it, such a child is bound to succeed. It is at this point that the person of the teacher comes in, how qualified and competent he/she is. Then find out how conducive the school environment is for learning; availability of infrastructure such as teaching aids, laboratory... “
She said it is also important that parents find out the rate of turnover of the staff particularly teaching staff, adding that change of teacher is not good for a child’s learning process; “sometimes it creates confusion in the mind of the child.”
According to a private school teacher in Lagos, Daniel Opeyemi, parents should go the extra mile in providing their children with the various opportunities schools can offer them. “Parents should send their children to the best school. And if the best is not within your locality, go the extra mile, even if transportation will be provided either by the school or from the home.
“No amount of money spent in the process of providing your child with quality education can be considered expensive. However, parents should strike a balance between quality, affordability and sustenance when making a choice of school so that the child’s learning won’t be disrupted by late payment and irregular payment of school fees, where it applies.”
Opeyemi said some parents may desire to have their children in some expensive schools, but if that choice would put a strain on the family income to the extent that other pressing needs of the family may not be met, then it is advisable that an alternative choice be considered. “Parents should ensure that their children are registered in schools that deliver on their promises through verifiable learning that is manifested in its students’ passing grades in key external examinations with assistance.”
For Mrs. Ogochukwu Malizu, a retired teacher, parents should be careful of windowdressed schools, which outward beauty does not reflect on the quality of service they offer. “In this era of proliferation of private schools by some merchants whose aim is to make profit, parents should go beyond physical structure, expensive fees, designer uniform to mention but a few, to those little things like teaching method, discipline, environment and academic qualifications and competences of the teaching staff.
“Some schools are good at assisting students to realise their potential irrespective of the varying learning style of the children. In such schools, teachers go beyond group class interaction to personally interact with each child so as to meet the child’s unique educational need where the need arises. Malizu stressed that the safety of the child should also be considered, saying, “how does the school handle issues of security, violence, bullying, theft, truancy and so many other common ills in schools? In making a choice of school for your child, I advise parents to make enquiries from parents and students of the school. Do not be in hurry; carry out your due diligence before settling down for a school.”
A principal in one of the Lagos State schools, who preferred anonymity, said parents should primarily consider the environment that encourages learning that will further develop the innate talent of their children in addition to other relevant factors. He said the qualification of the teaching staff is important as well as the location of the school, among others. “If the learning environment is conducive, the child will be encouraged to learn. Necessary facilities, such as library, laboratories, workshop and learning aids should be in place. Again, parents should avoid sending their children to a densely populated school.
“Parents who cannot afford to have their children in good private schools should not consciously or unconsciously destroy the future of their children by sending them to anyhow private school where quality of education is nothing to write home about. They should send them to government schools where quality and standard are ascertained and possibly back it up with a private lesson teacher for the child. Government schools have qualified teachers and are better equipped for quality education delivery.”