Did you know that most parents do not opt for boarding schools for education? Boarding schools offer immense opportunities that are not provided in day school. The decision to send your child to a boarding or day school depends on various factors. And we as parents think this decision can either make their future or break them apart. Knowing the pros and cons of enrolling your child in a boarding school will save you from unforeseen consequences. Let us learn about them in this article and come to a conclusion.
How is life at a boarding school?
Boarding schools are filled with experiences at every stage. If you want to enrol your child in boarding school, you must understand their daily routine. Residential schools offer dormitory facilities, where children return to and care for themselves after school. They maintain their hygiene, wash their clothes, clean their rooms, eat at a scheduled time with their friends and wake up on time every day. These activities will make them disciplined and enable them to perform all their tasks independently. Students enjoy and learn from each other by exchanging different cultural values and participating in all different types of extracurricular opportunities.
Advantages of boarding school
Boarding or residential schools are the institutes that offer holistic development to a child. It opens up personal understanding and provides a global perspective to students. It brings discipline to the table hence making the child independent and responsible. Students in their final year experience a strong urge to connect with the school’s strong alumni network. Residential schools in India, like SKV, provide a vast network of alumni that students can refer to for guidance.
Apart from academic excellence, students develop significant social skills where they value others' traditions and beliefs.
Pros of a Boarding School
- Disciplined Life – With timely activities of waking up, eating, attending classes and sleeping on time, students become disciplined. A disciplined life builds a positive mind and habits, and the best schools in India with enhanced facilities make a child resilient and focused. It nurtures healthy habits and reduces the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.
- Confidence building – A school that promotes active participation in all extracurricular activities makes a child strong and confident. They reflect their abilities in the tasks they perform. Suppose your child is good at communication; he can participate in competitions like elocution, debate, performing arts, etc. This contributes to a well-rounded education.
- Academic excellence – With teachers and staff surrounding students 24/7, students trust their teachers and do not hesitate to ask questions. Students get to learn subjects with practical and theoretical approaches. Teachers use technological aids, which is the reason for the growing popularity of CBSE schools in the Indian Education System.
- Exposure to diverse communities – Students, when they come together in a residential school, tend to learn about different social practices and get involved in different types of cultural activities. SKV's vision always influences students to learn each other's cultural practices. This will enable them to appreciate the diverse community and accept every individual as they are.
Cons of a Boarding School
- Homesickness – No matter how robust your kid is, they will miss the home where parents used to take care of them. Students who lack good friends often regret choosing the boarding school. Their boarding school experience can be compromised with bad roommates or surroundings.
- Expensive – Many parents do not choose a boarding school due to the high cost they must pay. Day schools with similar academic performance indexes look more pocket-friendly than residential schools. Parents who want their kids to be brain-smart and do not want them to get involved in extracurriculars will compromise because of the high budget.
- Bullying – Students, when left unattended, practice bullying no matter which school they are enrolled in. Without strict rules & regulations, students often target less confident peers. This creates a hostile environment for students. Schools that do not take action on bullying should not be preferred by parents for their children, irrespective of how confident and robust their child is.
- Limited Family Time – Enrolling your child in school that requires residential arrangements often confines the students in enclosed areas. They have limited family time for get-togethers, functions, events and celebrations. Parents often guide their children in the right direction and instil values. Lack of parental involvement in a child's life can have various consequences that impact their development, behaviour, and overall well-being.
After comparing the pros and cons of enrolling your child in a boarding school, you can make an informed decision for your child. With a step-by-step guide: how to choose the right CBSE school, you can select Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya school that provides specialised programs for holistic growth and development.
