OSC offers a value-based education system : Kumar Sangakkara

A child’s education is a priority for every parent. But selecting a school and the perfect curriculum could always be a challenge. A holistic educational experience would mould an all-rounder when compared to a one-dimensional academic experience. At the Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) students are offered a value-based education system through its International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. This includes additional subjects such as theatre, literature and other activities in addition to the usual subjects taught in the general curriculum. It therefore encourages a child to think critically and challenge what they are being told. Endorsing this programme, Kumar Sangakkara, former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain of the Sri Lankan national team spoke to Education Times about how it has helped his two children to gain confidence at a younger age.

Excerpts : Q : Why did you choose to send your children to OSC?

We were looking at local schools for my children and most of the schools in Sri Lanka are not co-educational. We looked around for international schools and we spoke to a few friends whose children have been at OSC. We walked around the campus, saw the classrooms and we usually talk about the dangers of going to an international school, for example the culture, dress code etc. But when we came here and experienced what was happening and what it was like, the mix of cultures and the IB programme, it was a different experience. I’m all for value-based education and when I saw the education system here from the day they started, I thought it was the closest one can get to a kind of education where outside home teaches children good values and live those values in society. It gives great grounding in time and place because even though it’s an international school it has 47 nationalities and gives a localized experience. There may be issues with regard to the dress code but we have looked beyond them because the discipline the school maintains has given our children a wonderful experience. Trinity College was and still is a great school and there are days when you like going to school and some days you don’t. But my children enjoy coming to school every day and learning the way they do; doing presentations from three or four years of age and their growth in confidence is unbelievable. They were very shy children at first. They do very practical exercises and apply what they learn in their day-to-day lives. Q : What role do teachers play?

Two teachers teach 12-14 students and nobody gets left behind. We started learning about the school when our children started coming here and we have seen their growth and it’s a wonderful place for children to grow up. They also learn about Sri Lanka without the sense of arrogance. I have seen that the teacher-coach concept has worked really well and children have shown their teamwork and sense of caring. It’s different to local schools; they have a different method of education and a different way of learning similar lessons. I find that my children have blossomed here. Q : How important is value-based education?

In Sri Lanka there has been a lot of discussions about the way forward in education. I have seen some good changes been introduced. But I think everyone has a long way to go in terms of refining and fine-tuning their syllabuses. However right now I think they are at a very good place. IB gets tougher at the secondary level and I think the best thing for parents is to talk to other parents about OSC. Come and spend a day here, meet the teachers, students and see how they do their assembly, presentations and other activities. There are more Sri Lankan students today at OSC then there were when we enrolled our kids. Although most of the students are foreigners they have a tendency to leave due to their parents diplomatic post renewal being in other countries and sometimes when my children make friends, those relationships maybe for a short while, and they will have a new set of friends altogether, even though the friends who have moved to other countries still keep in touch. Therefore, they may not have long-lasting relationships which local schools maintain well. Parents also need be responsible and have conversations with their children about what they like and dislike. At OSC children are taught to be risk takers and to question without blindly saying yes to anything. You need those traits when you grow up. I hope more Sri Lankan parents will be interested in sending their children to OSC. Q : What progress have you seen in your children?

Children are children and parents would always compare. But at OSC they do map-testing where they chart the progress of the child from year to year and see whether they have improved, stagnated or gone down in their abilities in various different subjects. This is not a one-on-one comparison to other children and you get to see your children’s progress. Even for us as parents it gives a bit of perspective and stops us getting overly involved in their experiences. It’s been a great learning experience for us as parents to understand how to step away and allow them to learn on their own. Q : The local education system is mainly focused on exams. How is it different at OSC?

A : Children get to know their progress and they give you their honest feedback. They have studentled teachers’ conferences as well. Here students have to take the lead and they have to conduct a class. They have to take a lot of responsibilities for the work they do. I think it’s a lot more intense when it comes to the secondary level. But exams are a reality in life and IB is a diploma and you have to do it well. At OSC there is a range of subjects that children must choose from. Unlike other schools where students must take extra classes and private tuition at a young age, OSC focusses on every child from Primary up to graduation. All the local children at OSC who go to foreign universities, excel. Q : From a parent’s point of view in what aspects should the local education system change at this point?

I think it’s important to look around and see what other countries are doing rather than asking children to do what you think is best. Parents should identify how education has changed. It will be difficult to change the entire system overnight per say because everyone is used to it, but children need to learn about human rights, gender equality, respect, learn about the environment and have all these modules taught to them which are beyond other subjects. Various little lessons such as learning to respect themselves and to respect others views and opinions could be added on. The practical aspect of education needs to be introduced so that the child will adjust to the real world. It is not just the qualifications that matter but it is about the overall personality. Taking the exam pressure off young kids and allowing them to have an enjoyable period in school so that they don’t have a burnout could be an added advantage in the long run. Lot more could be done in Sri Lanka when you look at the number of graduates who are unemployed and it is certainly not fair.

Q : Extra-curricular activities are usually ignored by children. Why does a child need these activities in their school curriculum?

I think it is about managing time. Children don’t have time to spend on extra-curricular activities. They think they should spend more time studying. It’s tough to adjust your schedule at times but parents also need to have conversations with school and see how they could adjust their child’s schedule so that everyone can benefit. You can’t have a one-dimensional person but you need to have an all-rounder and it is important that children participate in debating, drama and other activities. With tablets and other devices being introduced, children lack physical exercises as well. It starts from home and since children love technology it is difficult to convince them to stay away from these devices, but it is important to get that balance right. It helps children to de-stress and even win competitions.

Q : What message could you give parents from the overall experience you have had as a parent at OSC?

I would like to ask parents to come and see the school. Have a conversation with the teachers and you need to be here first before you take a decision. Compare it to other schools because you would want the best for your children. One good thing about OSC is that if you feel that something is not right, you could always talk about it with the teachers. That is something other schools may not have. If a Sri Lankan parent is worried about the experience not being Sri Lankan enough, I think you would be surprised at what they have to offer. They celebrate both local and international festivals; be it religious or otherwise. Every student participates in these activities. The price factor does exist but at OSC the facilities are amazing and it’s worth the price. After all we want the best for our children.