‘Selection of a school’ is one of the burning issues that has attracted everyone’s attention, especially that of the parents.

Teaching techniques and modalities have undergone a massive change internationally. There are so many schools of thought behind the right approach towards the development of a child. Besides the revolution in teaching methods, parents’ involvement is also considered a crucial part of the child’s schooling activities. In Nepal, the new breed of schools seem to be trying their best to inculcate the modern ideologies and processes. I see this as a positive step that needs to be taken up even more seriously by government schools. A new generation of well educated and sensible citizens is the only way out for our country.

However, this development also needs a lot of understanding and monitoring. Schools need to deliver what they promise and parents need to understand what they are getting into. Both parties need to be clear that the main objective here is the wellbeing of the child. I have seen people wanting to admit their children into certain reputed schools more for their own status in society than for the child’s welfare.

I have three children and they all go to different schools. As I watch them grow, I am happy that each of them goes to a school that suits them best. They are three different characters so they need to be catered to differently. My oldest one is very serious about her undertakings whether it be studies or other activities. She needs no reminding that she needs to get her work done. She seems to cope quite well with the pressures of a ninth grader going on to ten.

My middle one is as carefree as the wind, can make friends with strangers in the blink of an eye and can conjure stories out of nowhere. She used to go to the same school as her older sister but she was constantly battling with her books and the pressures of the academic demands set. Luckily, we found an academic setting that gelled in perfectly with her nature. The school she goes to now is a newer and smaller entity compared to her older school, but she is finally at ease with her surroundings and has made truce with her books.

The youngest one never fails to surprise me with her comments and observations. Picking up from her older sister’s wisdom beyond her age, she has the capacity to analyze a situation and make appropriate comments. My daughter happens to be youngest in class but I feel her interaction with her older siblings has helped her cope with her relationship with her older peers. Her school works with a mixed method theory which is perfect for my young one.

My experiences based on my children have led me to believe that as parents, we need to understand the requirements of our child before running blindly after a brand or an established name when it comes to choosing a school for our children. As modern day parents, we need to understand and be able to analyze if schools are actually delivering what they have promised. Most importantly, we need to understand that we need to choose schools not for us or our social standing but for the future of our children.