What To Consider When Picking A School For Your Child(Part 2)
ARTICLE by Kunlek
●In my previous blog, I listed the criteria which I believe cover majority of the factors parents consider or look out for as they embark on their search. Below, I elaborate on their various meanings. I also will be adding a few inputs from the comments I received from the last blog:
- School Fees: Total of the fees paid (inclusive tuition, boarding-if applicable, books etc)
- Preference for Day or Boarding: Do you want a day school or a boarding school?
- Student to Teacher Ratio (Classroom): Number of children per classroom per teacher
- Student to Room Ratio (for Boarding only): Number of students per room
- Religious Orientation: Is the school affiliated with a religion or a denomination of a religion?
- Sports Orientation/Teaching/Facilities: What are the sports facilities available? What kind of teachers, instructors, trainers and coaches do they have?
- Level of Emphasis on Morals/Discipline: Is it a school where discipline is high? Is it a school where money/influence takes precedence over conduct?
- Musical Orientation/Teaching/Facilities: Are the children encouraged in & taught the rudiments of music by certified teachers and also allowed expression in the form of music on a regular basis?
- Other Extra-Curricular activities to build up a child (outside sports & music): Drama club, Press club, Public Speaking club etc
- Curriculum (Nigerian, British, American or Singaporean): One of these or a combination
- How long have they been in existence for? Mainly the history of the school
- Past records of top exams like WAEC, NECO from the school: Published results & how the children have fared over the past couple of years
- Location: Where is it located?
- What other exams do the children write (local and international): iGCSE, SAT etc
- Uniform: What colour? Is it good looking/smart etc?
- Turnover of teachers: How long do teachers stay at a school?