The decision of school selection is one of the most challenging decisions that young parents face at least twice during their parental journey. The fact that this decision can significantly affect child’s life in future makes it even more difficult and significant. The benefits of choosing right elementary schools translate into a good primary school life and primary school life directly affects middle and high school selection and performance. Moreover, choices of school for older child are to be followed by subsequent siblings as well.
Therefore, instead of listing the usual criteria like location or graduate performance, we have carefully evaluated and shortlisted 5 major factors or criteria for school selection keeping in mind the perspective and circumstances of Pakistan’s educational system.
School’s Vision and Philosophy
Most of the parents are still unaware of the significance that a school’s philosophy and vision holds for their children. Browsing through the website, most parents skip the history and mission part of school information. However, our research on Pakistani schools, both private and public, showed that mission statement and vision and philosophy of a school is reflective of its on-ground facilities and pedagogy expertise.
Dr. Ayesha Nazir, a child and teenager psychologist, during her interview with educational roundup, urged parents of preschoolers to place high emphasis on school philosophy and vision as it reveals a lot about their approach to education.
Read More: Ask a Child Psychologist: Factors to consider in Preschools
Parents need to read the school vision and philosophy and then compare it to facilities provided and activities conducted at the school. If there is positive alignment between the two, and it coincides with aspiration of parents for their children, it establishes a basis for good approach towards education and makes school selection easy.
School Curriculum
In Pakistan, there is lack of availability of public and trust schools that provide high quality educational curriculum and teachers with latest pedagogy skills. With several global curriculums introduced in schools across Pakistan, parents have even more difficult choices to make. Apart from the traditional Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), primary and middle schools have now adopted British Curriculum (BC), International Baccalaureate (IB) including PYP, MYP, DP and CP[1], STEM education, and iGCSE.
School curriculum should be given priority over several other factors as the world is moving towards new technologies and avenues of education while most schools in Pakistan are stuck in the same old fashioned education system with outdated syllabus. The ‘one syllabus one curriculum’ aim of federal government is yet to be evaluated as schools are still closed. However, parents can get information regarding each type of curriculum to analyze its future implications. The choice of curriculum greatly affects university options for children as 4th industrial revolution with modern smart technology is already in motion and parents need to understand the future prospects through upgraded education curriculums adopted globally.
School Fee and Extra Charges
Given the income and class disparity in Pakistan, there is a huge difference between the type of schools available for primary, middle and high school level. The income and class disparity in families is also reflected in their choice for schools as parents often judge schools by the fee they are charging. There is a lot of stereotyping as far as fee structure is concerned as schools that charge high fees are considered over expensive and schools that charge low fee are considered low quality. School Fees and Extra charges play a significant role in choosing the right school as parents should look for value they are receiving from the school against those fee bills.
The number of schools that provide quality education, facilities and activities at par with international standards within low fee structures are very limited and the admission criteria is extremely strict. Therefore, in school selection, fee structures should be evaluated against the curriculum, facilities, extra-curricular activities and alumni placement in markets. There are number of schools that are charging mid to high range fee but at the same time providing curriculum and activities that can equip children with innovative skills that are locally inaccessible and are accepted globally.
Similarly, some schools are known to have excessive charges for functions and events which are not preferred by most parents. Such information should be gathered in advance through parenting circles and school groups to evaluate costs associated with each school and the value generated against them.
Facilities and Co-curricular Activities
With availability of extensive online information, parents should now become more aware of the significance that extracurricular and noncurricular activities holds in development of children. The general mentality of parents in Pakistan is to get children in schools and colleges for attainment of high grades only which can lead to admission in top universities and eventually get high paying jobs. However, research shows that healthy development of children in their primary years is highly dependent on their academic as well as social and physical growth. A wholesome approach to education can inevitably lead to successful career in future.
The increasing globalization has opened up several avenues for future generations with technical, innovative and even outsourced jobs. Parents need to select schools that offer a wholesome environment to students through various sports, debates, dramatics, arts, science and other clubs. Many schools with low fee structures offer clubs and societies as well as other optional noncurricular activities where students can at least have an option to participate in his/her area of interest besides academics and explore their strengths and new opportunities.
School Management and Teacher Satisfaction
Recent incidents at renowned private schools in Pakistan have brought several issues under spotlight for parents. Most important factor being the attitude of school management towards students’ and teachers’ problems. Getting feedback on school administration, teachers’ satisfaction with administration and conflict resolution approach should be a major concern for parents nowadays.
While public schools are stereotyped to have a laid back attitude from management and teachers regarding issues that children or teachers face, many private schools share this attitude despite charging enormous amounts from parents. In selecting schools, parents need to gather informal feedback from teachers or parents through informal circles regarding school’s approach towards parents’ involvement, and respect given to students and teachers in conflict resolution. Moreover, there should be accountability of school administration or any involved party without concern for reputation or abuse of power. As subjective the criteria may sound, online forums and groups as well as meetings with teachers and administration can help parents in establishing a better judgment for this aspect.
[1] Primary Year Programme (PYP), Middle Year Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), Career-related Programme (CP).
