Starting School: 8 Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Children’s School in Nigeria.
Choosing a school for your child can be quite challenging and tedious. The choice you make now will have an impact later in the future. You must be able to look at various aspect while you are choosing a school for your child as it plays a vital role in your child’s development. It is not every school that is around you that is best for your child.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Children’s School in Nigeria.
You must consider these things before choosing your child school.
1. Location of school: it will be unwise if your toddler school is far away from home even with transport facilities. Choose a school that is closer to your home so that your child can get to school with ease. E.g You see some toddlers going to school with the school bus as early as 6a.m in order to beat traffic and the child is coming home late as well. Going through that stress daily can drain the child’s energy which can also affect the child’s performance in school. Choose a school that is closer to your home for easy access.
2. Parent Availability: if you are the type that you are not going to be at home when your child closes from school, it’s better to choose a school that offer after school services for 24 hours so that you can pick your child when you are back.
You can also make adequate arrangements with the school transport facility if you know that picking your child will be stressful.
3. Finance: The school fees must be able to fit in to your family budget. You don’t have to go bankrupt because of your child’s education. Choose a school that is affordable for you. It will be embarrassing if your child is being sent home. Proper planning should be done yearly on how the fees should be paid. Fees are being paid thrice a year and make sure you make payment before school fees drive.
4. School environment: Environment plays a significant role in a child’s development. If the environment is loving, supportive, friendly, the child will also be loving and friendly.
The school is meant for learning so the environment must be conducive, appealing and clean. A dirty environment exposes your child to infection and disease. So parent must take note of the classrooms, toilet and the surroundings.
The school should have a playground, library, toilet, sickbay or a first aid box. The classrooms must be ventilated with fans or AC. The classrooms should not be overcrowded with pupils. A classroom should not have more than 12 pupils depending on the size with a teacher and assistance so that learning can be achieved and for proper monitoring of the children.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Children’s School in Nigeria.
5. Quality of Teachers: Your child spends at least 7hours with the teacher so the teacher is also part of the moulding of your child’s behaviour and life. The quality of teacher have influence on your child learning. Teachers should have access to resources that will aid learning.
It is important to ask the head of school about the qualification of teacher that will handle your child.
Also consider how school owners or school authorities treat teachers and the view of teachers about school owners. If teachers are being treated well, they also do their job well. Don’t choose a school that teachers don’t spend at least two sessions. When teachers have job satisfaction they tend to stay with the school.
It is also important to ask for how discipline is being done by the school because some teachers can flog carelessly. Also ask how parents are being informed if their child has behavioral issues or is a victim.
6. Curriculum: You can ask for the subject they study in the school and the teaching styles they use for pupils. Is their method of teaching child centered or teacher centered? Is it individualised teaching or group teaching? Also check out the instructional aid the school has that we support your child’s learning.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Children’s School in Nigeria.
7. Extra Curriculum Activities: Choose a school that engage children in extra curricula activities because it will foster their intuitive and intellectual skills. They are learning that takes place outside the classrooms. It also teaches valuable skills for the rest of life. Examples are dance group, sport activities, music academy e.t.c Your child talent can actually be nurtured in the school.
8. Visit to the School: it is very important that you pay a visit to the school you want your child to attend when the school is on session. Start observing from the gate and ask yourself if the school is safe enough to accommodate your child. Check the classrooms, toilet facilities, sick bay. You can ask for the school mission statements and their core values to know if you child is meant to be in the school.
Find out as much as you can from parents that already have kids in the school and even from teachers.
Above all prayerfully choose a school for your child. God is the revealer of every secret and he knows the end from the beginning. Some parent has lost their child as a result of school negligence.
Written by Bunmi Adetiloye
Bio
She is a creative, innovative and seasoned Counsellor with over 5 years experience working with people who have diverse needs. She has Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counselling and fist Degree in Education with specialization in Economic.
She has 5 years’ experience in school management, starting and running a school.
She is Knowledgeable in behavioral monitoring, psychological testing, research methods, rehabilitation techniques, and psychometrics. Strength in performing diagnostic testing and delivering appropriate therapies. Proven track record of effective results and positive outcomes with clients. Compassionate, understanding, and friendly demeanor when working with challenging clients in any situation.
To Book Counselling or Consulting sessions call or WhatsApp her Office on: +234806077920 or send email to dayohub@gmail.com
Starting School: 8 Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Children’s School in Nigeria.
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