Residential schools, which are also known as boarding schools, are not new. Residential schools have been in existence for centuries. They have been widely hailed as institutions that deliver nothing short of the highest quality of education to children. It is not surprising to note that the reputation of residential schools has risen over the years, and modern day Indian parents are encouraging their children to be more and more independent, and thus choosing to enrol them into such schools.
Education is viewed as not just a stepping stone to professional success, but one of the most vital components of a well-rounded childhood. Education is what not only sets the foundation for a rewarding and fulfilling professional career, but contributes to the overall growth and development of children, both mentally and physically. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘knowledge is power’ and it aptly summarises the cruciality of education.
Parents always have the best interests of their children in mind, and they want to see their children succeeding and doing well in their lives. They strive to provide their children with the best possible education so that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take on the world.
Residential schools, by their very nature, provide a comprehensive education experience for children whereby they live, study and play on campus. In India, there are numerous such schools which have produced some of the country’s finest men and women. Whether you are looking for a residential school in Siliguri, or in Dehradun, or in Kalimpong, there is sure to be one that perfectly matches your requirements, as well as those of your child.
Research has been conducted extensively by The Arts & Science Group of Baltimore and The Association of Boarding Schools and it has been discovered that children who have attended residential schools tend to perform better in university as well as in their professional lives. A residential school education gives children a complete and holistic education that helps them develop a thorough understanding of their subjects while also imbibing values and ethics that will hold them in good stead throughout their life. In these schools, children from vastly different backgrounds live together in a shared environment. This helps children become aware of the community they belong to, while learning about the importance of mutual understanding and respect.
In this article, we explore some of the various benefits that will accrue to your child from a residential school education. Such an education will give them an experience that traditional day schools do not. We enumerate just a few of the multiple advantages of admitting your child to a boarding school:
- Provides a comprehensive all-round education
Residential schools provide an environment where children live, study and play together. This kind of setting helps the school to deliver an all-round educational experience comprising both classroom learning as well as extracurricular activities.
- Teaches communication skills
In a residential school, children live with other children from vastly different backgrounds, with starkly differing perspectives. These are the people with whom they spend a large amount of time studying, playing and interacting, which helps them develop and refine their communication skills, enabling them to become both better communicators and better listeners.
- Promotes independence and self-sufficiency
A residential school is an environment where children learn to live independently and without the support of their family. Children learn to adapt to a lifestyle where they have to be independent and look after themselves. This in turn helps them to become more disciplined and take ownership of their actions.
- Encourages leadership
In a setting where children are always encouraged to be better versions of themselves, one can safely say that leadership skills are nurtured. Such a setting makes children more eager to get out of their comfort zone. and take the initiative with things they would not otherwise have, in order to accomplish a goal.
- Teaches responsibility
A residential school teaches children to adapt to a lifestyle where they have to be self-sufficient and look after themselves, take care of their property as well as fulfil their duties without having their parents to remind them. This fosters a strong sense of accountability and propriety in children.
- Teaches time and money management skills
When children are living independently without constant parental guidance and support, they learn the value of both time and money. They learn to prioritise their activities, adapt healthier schedules as well as the importance of spending money wisely.
- Inculcates social awareness
In a residential school, children live, study and play with other children from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, which helps them to become more open-minded and compassionate towards others. This enables children to develop a balanced and empathetic worldview, in turn resulting in a better understanding of the society and the world at large.
- Enables cooperation and collaboration
Residential schools, being shared environments where children live and study together for a long period of time, teach children the importance of working together as a team. Children learn to appreciate how a collaborative attitude and complementing each other’s efforts help in the attainment of shared goals.
- Facilitates the development of lasting friendships
Having been part of a shared experience for several years makes children realise the value of the bonds they have formed with their peers. A residential school experience makes children more broadminded and it has been seen that they tend to have a more diverse group of friends later on in life.
- Prepares children for university and professional life
As research has shown, a residential school education helps children become adaptable and flexible. This helps children develop a more realistic view of how the world functions and how they can navigate through their university and professional lives. The skills that they gain from being independent will hold them in good stead as they progress in college and in their careers.
The arguments in favour of a residential school education for your child are plenty! These are just some of the various ways in which your child will benefit from such an education. But as we are seeing, with the current trend, more and more parents are selecting residential schools for their children. Why don’t you? The choices are plentiful in India. Regardless of whether you are looking for an ICSE affiliated school in Darjeeling, a CBSE affiliated school in Siliguri or a state board affiliated school in Bangalore, there is surely at least one residential school that will be to yours as well as your child’s liking!
