It is important that your highest priority as a parent or guardian is to ensure that your child receives the best possible education based on learning credibility, safety and discipline. And, since there are so many schools within our scope, there are some key factors to consider when determining which school is best for your child.
Here is a list of questions to ask before choosing a school for your child.
What kinds of learning methods does the school offer that set it apart from other schools?
Is the school utilizing equipment or tools that make learning enjoyable? Some schools continue to use outdated school materials and teach in an antiquated manner.
The manner in which a student learns throughout his or her school career will influence the type of thinker and problem solver he or she will become to deal with the challenges of life and the world ahead of them, and as times change, so will the learning procedures.
Some schools still practice subject-centered learning, where students only learn how to memorize information just to pass the exams and with little critical thinking and creativity in learning, students typically rely on extra tutoring to achieve high exam scores, and teachers to confirm “correct answers” to exam questions.
These educational methods are out of date and lead to students’ dependency, so before making that decision, ask the type of methods they adopt in terms of school materials and tools.
How good are their staff?
Teachers spend the most time with your children, so it is important to know the level of the teachers/staffs’ credentials, capability and the experience they possess in teaching the subject and knowing how well to handle the age of your child, and also their ability to build a wet, loving, welcoming classroom atmosphere that is conducive for your child.
Teachers’ personal interests and activities often stimulate their imagination and motivate classroom lessons. Teachers who receive professional development will be able to incorporate best practices as well as emerging developments and instructional approaches, such as technology and project-based learning, which are among new teaching methods.
So, therefore, you should ask the following questions:
- Is training provided to staff to keep them up to date on new teaching methods?
- Do they treat children harshly?
- Does the staff love to attend to your child when need be?
Is the environment safe for your child?
The safety of your child should be your top priority. Consider if the environment of the school and location is safe for your child.
You should consider the following questions:
- Is there any available security?
- How far is the school to a nearby security station?
How does the school manage problem behavior?
Growing up is not a linear process but rather a path of ups and downs, mistakes and failures, successes and achievements, joys and disappointments. Schools that address problem behavior with discipline and fairness and view mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow will have a more positive impact on your child. Punishments aggravate and belittle students. Discipline, however, teaches boundaries and life lessons on natural consequences of behavior, giving students the opportunity to repair, make amends and grow, with respect. Aligning the collaboration between the student, parent and school fosters positive relationships and best supports the child.
So, therefore, you should ask if the school in question disciplines or punishes, and in what circumstances is this done?
What are their covid-19 precautions?
Covid-19 is a virus that we all need to learn to deal with, so while vaccines are being distributed and schools are reopening, precautions should be taken seriously.
As a parent or guardian, it is important that you pay more than usual attention to the protocols and available services that the school has put in place to protect their students’ well-being.
The following are examples of questions you may need to ask:
- What tools are available to contain the virus as directed by the World Health Organization?
- When a case happens, how quickly are the parents notified?
- Does the school follow the virus’s rules?
- what measures do they take to teach when there is a need for the children to be at home?
Finding the answers to these questions will improve your child’s learning speed and also to protect them, and keep them safe.