CHOOSING THE BEST SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD

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Now that the Zimsec Grade 7 results are out, I know that most parents and guardians are having sleepless nights, moving move one place to another in search of a place for their child, and it seems that all the parents are competing for the same places and because that almost all their children have high grades, this has caused a lot of problems on the selection process and this has fueled corruption of late, and the question is if it is worthy the hustle.

I understand that there are many schools that have been dominating, and it seems everyone would like to have their kid at the same school, just because they have seen so and so, who have successfully made it in life because they want their child to do the same, but what we fail to realise is that times are changing and you can't keep on clinging to that thought that such a school was the best because of a headmaster who has long retired, or a matron or boarding master who has ceased to be that vicious and strict character maybe because he has been fed up of the kids behaviour. I want you to to go through this post and help you realise that times are changing, and we are in the 21st century.

"It seems to be the sole topic of conversation lately - how good/bad the local comp is, how extra tuition will be needed for the local grammar etc etc. The kids are five to six years old." sandyballs
The big question is: do you choose a school or does a school choose you, or, more precisely, your child? And the answer is: it's a bit of both because, while it's up to you – and your child – to decide which schools are worth applying for, it's then up to the school to say yes or no to your application.
 
How do you decide between different schools?Related links
It's a decision that seriously stresses some of the most sanguine parents, so how do you go about deciding which secondary school is best for your child? This question baffles a lot of people, but the trick lies in knowing, the present trends in education, according to me I would look for a school that offers the following:

1)General Guidance & Spirituality
I understand that this age is very volatile, and that our children learn more from their peers, teachers, and friends i would like to send my child to a school that gives my child all the spiritual support in times of need, where they are boarders, or day scholars.
I need a school, where they can grow their spirituality, whilst they learn, because God is the Greatest and should be above all other things. The headmaster, teaching staff and non-teaching staff should be very supportive.They should give my child the counseling they need when I am not there and could just act like a "parent"
2)Technology and Innovation
As i said, times are changing and gone are the days, when you expect your child to be carrying piles of books from the library and always with a backpack full of notes, but you would need a school that support technological advancements, incorporating e-learning because it is becoming the order of the day. You can't claim and boost around to be sending your child to school in this 21st century to a school that shuns an technology still promoting outdated paper based learning. I am not saying we should totally migrate to e-learning but the school needs to appreciate technology. Also the school should show a certain level of appreciation of innovation, where its even shown through how they have changed their ways of dealing with parents,pupils, staff, society,corporate world eg having a website, online portal for access of results etc. It needs to show that it is a progressive school.
3) Personal Development

I need a school that builds my child in a variety of aspects of life from social life, because at the end of the day, that child will need to go out into the society, and should be able to interact well, with others and contribute positively to the society. The school should help my child develop in all the areas of life that includes Leadership, Time management, Self Discipline, Goal Setting because at the end of the day, i need a wholesome kid back home, who is not only academically talented.The school school have clubs, functions etc where they can promote the above said Personal Development areas.
4) Unhu/Ubuntu
I have been to schools that were said to be churning out the best students, but there only had problems with their Unhu, they did not have respect, they did not know their boundaries, respect for others and to be honest, how can you survive in our society without Unhu and i think a school that promotes these is the best for my kid.

5)Education
You might be wondering why i placed this at the end of the list, but i would like to believe that with the coming in of internet there has been so much information being uploaded on the web, and over thousands of journal and books are being published every year, and to say that you are paying school fees for education, you might be cheating yourself because these days information is now readily available and almost free. Also most school are drilling your kids to pass the exams but i guess after reading this article you may have to rethink about it and see, if it is worthy sending your child to that school. 
Almost all schools are teaching these days but it is those values that i highlighted above that makes them different.

Recommendation
Where the children go when they leave school - how many do further education? What sports/music facilities do they offer? Even if your child isn't interested, it tells you if they are just an exam factory. Do they offer many clubs? Usually a sign teachers are prepared to put in an effort. 
Is your child particularly interested in or good at one area of the curriculum - science, languages, music etc? If so, you probably want to make sure the school has good facilities and enthusiastic teachers in that area. 
Do the kids look happy? Staff? Are the displays slightly rough round the edges but relatively recent? Do at least a few pupils gain 10 A/A* grades? What does your instinct say from the open evening? Do you like the building?

I thought deeply about the whole business, wrote down loads of questions, but felt in the end that just soaking up the atmosphere on the open day and trying to imagine my son in the position of the pupils showing us round was really what mattered. 
All the Best as you look for the best School for Your Kid

------#Asante sana

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