How to choose the right CBSE school for your child?

Pune ranks as one of the most populated cities in India. There are a lot of residential districts, each offering amenities catering to every aspect of your life. The abundance of these makes it quite challenging to know where to get the best service. One challenge that residents face is selecting the best CBSE school for their children. As you walk around, you will be amazed by the number of educational institutions available. So then comes the questions, how do you identify a school that is right for your child?

Many aspects determine whether a school is worth it or not. To help you ease the headache, here are a few things that you can assess when selecting one for your kids.

1.       Registration number from the CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education publishes an annual list of member schools that have the approval to offer their examinations. Each school has a registration number that you can demand during your inquiries. Always check on the most recent list to see whether a school has the right credentials to provide education services. Many parents have fallen victim to unscrupulous organisations that claim to be part of the registered Pune CBSE schools.

2.       The nature of the syllabus

The method of how a school administers the syllabus is also crucial. Gone are the days where it was all about carrying heavy bags filled with unnecessary books. The top schools have adopted new methods of learning to ensure that a student receives a 360 education. Students are not only taught the CBSE-approved subjects but also take part in extra and co-curricular activities. As children grow, they develop not only cognitively but also physically.

A top school is one that encourages the development of other facets of life as well. Emotional and psychological well-being are now part of the overall development of a child. Activities such as drama, sports, and creative arts are equally important. Take time to study the school prospectus to get insights into what events are on schedule for the school year.

3.       How is the infrastructure of the school?

The nature of facilities available in an institution will determine how well your child will develop. Part of the aims of CBSE is to impart holistic education with child interests. Therefore a school should aim to provide an environment that promotes academic excellence through psychological, social, and pedagogical principles.

A quick study of the best performing Pune CBSE schools will show that they have the following facilities within their confines.

• Well lit and spacious classrooms
  Classes that allow in lots of natural light and are well ventilated make ideal environments for students to excel. Overcrowding in classrooms can be a causal factor for stress and frustration in students. The limited space will hamper teacher-student interactions and lead to some of them falling behind.

• Outdoor sport facilities
  Physical education is one of the subjects offered under the CBSE curriculum. Schools are mandated to provide sporting facilities that allow children to play to improve their physical well-being while at school. Football, cricket, hockey, and swimming are some of the sports you will find in top schools.

• Science and Computer laboratories
  STEM is one of the new concepts in education that the CBSE syllabus has adopted. A school should have dedicated laboratories to help develop these skills among its population.

• Performance art centres
  Drama and music are integral components of Indian culture. Schools should have facilities that encourage pupils to express their creative sides while still pursuing an education.

• Library
  Aside from classrooms, libraries provide additional resources of information for all faculty staff. These should have the latest books, publications, and reports on a wide array of subjects. As the internet becomes more accessible, schools are switching to digital libraries for their students.

•  Canteen
  Well-fed children make the best students. A school that caters to the nutritional needs of students should be top of your list.

• Nurse’s office
  Having an onsite medical professional helps in the immediate care of faculty members should emergencies arise.

The above are some of what is standard in top schools. However, others go above and beyond to include more facilities for their residents. Centres of Excellence, exhibition halls, and auditoriums are also facilities that you should expect when researching top-performing schools.

4.       What is the quality of staff at the institution?

Teachers are no longer the only staff members that feature in schools. Child psychologists, career counsellors, sports coaches, and nurses all contribute to a child’s well-being. All these staff members need to be professionally trained and have certifications from their respective associations.

5.       The location of the school

The location should also be a priority when selecting a school for your child. The environment should be free of distraction and negative influences. Find a school that is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Blaring horns and shouts from street vendors will diminish the quality of education on offer. Top performing schools often choose locations that offer vast tracts of land that allow all facilities to be onsite. Prime locations are where you can easily commute and attend school events along with your child. The journey to and from school should not be tedious, as this will often lead to inadequate knowledge retention by the student.

6.       What are the school’s vision, mission, and values?

Top performing schools have a clearly stated vision and values that help govern their operations. Look for institutions that promote peaceful co-existence, humility, and community awareness. These will help shape your child’s character and make them outstanding citizens of society.

A top school is one that actively participates in community initiatives and promotes cohesion. Scholarship and community social responsibility programs are well equipped to provide quality education to their members.

7.       What other value-adds does the school offer?

Aside from academics, some schools also provide extra services for both teachers and parents. The services on offer may include:

• Student Exchange programs
  Having children take part in exchange programs helps to turn them into global citizens. Initiatives can include collaboration with their peers from different countries on similar projects. It does not have to entail travel, as all this is possible through technology. These collaborations help in the exchange of ideas and knowledge of different cultures.

• University Placement programs
  One major headache for parents is selecting a good university for their children. Through affiliation and student counsellors, parents can rest easy knowing the all is taken care of by schools. Such programs can also facilitate the getting of scholarships to elite universities around the world. 

• Specialist club associations
  Schools that value the holistic education program often have programs that prepare children for specialist careers. Organisations such as Model UN, AIESEC International are some of the affiliations that students can join to learn such organisations’ workings. They often provide mock sessions where children hold positions of leadership to better their skills for future development.

8.       The school’s performance history

Every year the CBSE publishes results of the national examinations for public viewing. Look for schools that rank in the top ten consistently, as this indicates their commitment towards academic excellence.

There are also regional and national competitions in performing arts, debates, and sports as well. A school that receives recognition for its prowess in academic and extra-curricular activities will be an excellent choice for your child’s overall development. The information is available on the school’s website or national publications.

Schools can earn commendations for initiatives outside of their core business. Organisations such as the World Education Awards often recognise schools for innovation in learning techniques and research.

9.       The cost of education

Education does cost money. However, this should not be an indication of how well a school ranks amongst the rest. Look for schools that go the extra mile in providing quality education at reasonable rates. Some of the facilities on offer may not be suitable for your child. Study the fee structure to weigh your options. You should not get into debt just for the education of your child.

10.   Reviews and feedback

The internet has made it possible for people to share information freely. Once you settle on a shortlist of schools, take time to see what others are saying. Good schools often have rave reviews, whether it is on the levels of engagement, academic excellence, or overall facilities. You can also consult with the parents association to identify where the gaps are in each institution.

Other valuable reviews will come from staff members. A school where every teacher wants to work is one that caters to the well-being of its workforce. Underpaid staff members will not do their job diligently, thereby affecting their delivery of valuable insight to students.

With so many options available in the Pune area, it can be difficult for a parent to narrow down a desirable facility. Having a plan of action when selecting a school is the only sure way of guaranteeing success. With the above indicators, you are well on your way to finding an elite institution for your child.