Singapore International School in Mumbai

A few days back, my niece came home for vacations from her residential school in Nainital. After interacting with her I realized that what we usually perceive about these educational institutes is nothing but a wrong impressions incorporated in our minds, by the books and movies. I can prove, let us do an exercise, think about boarding schools and note down the images that come to mind, on a paper.

The first picture to be visualized would be a sprawling school premises amidst hills, a strict warden, a bunch of bullies, a homesick and lonely child, etc...... Well, these are nothing, but our stereotypical notions. Let us try to live a life of a boarder to understand why boarding schools are important as much as Day schools.

There are many educational institutes like Sainik schools, convent schools and international schools in India, which are considered as best residential educational institutes. To be more specific, we shall take into account of the students (boarders) in the IB schools.

“The sprawling campus surrounded by the hills” might sound exaggerated and very movie-type, but it is very much near to the reality...... International Schools in India are usually, spread across large acres with trees and playground. (Well, these educational institutes are not always located on a hill stations, as we generally see in the movies). Such healthy environment plays a vital part in making the child physically and mentally sound. The students are not allowed (or rather put it in this way, they are never encourage to remain dull) to sit idly after the regular school hours.

They are encouraged to take part in different sports like swimming, badminton, horse riding, volley ball, etc..... Therefore not turning them into book worms and couch potatoes who are not fit; mentally and physically to face the world. Parents who are sending their children to a boarding school are generally apprehensive about the safety of the child. IB schools understand this concern, and so many of them have proper facilities to ensure security of the boarder.

The students are supervised and looked after by a warden or houseparent. These people are responsible to see that every child is behaving properly and are happy in his new home. Therefore there are fewer chances that the child is bullied or harassed by his seniors. International Schools in India follows strict policies to see that no child is ever harassed or harmed.

One of the most important advantages that the boarders in the International schools in India have is “unlimited exposure”. As these educational institutes are a destination for many Indian and international students, they can get a chance to interact with their peers who are from different cultural backgrounds. Two pupils; one from India and one from China can freely exchange their views and thoughts with each other about the lifestyle in their respective countries. Thus, the child will not only get his basic education, but also learn about other cultures, which help him to become more tolerant and become a world citizen.

It generally happens that children away from their home do not concentrate on the studies; either they feel homesick or they take full advantage of their being alone. Well, at the International schools in India the evening times are sparred for extra classes and for assignments. The students who are weak in some particular subject or needs extra guidance can take help of these evening classes.

There is a generalized notion that children in the boarding school gets spoiled as there is no one to oversee their actions, however, most of us forget that children only gets spoiled in two cases, either there are over-pampered or ignored completely. Contrary to the common belief, this kind of educational setting makes the child independent, confident and smart enough to face the challenges once he steps out of their comfort zones.