Isel Bojan Ilmaz – Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions for a child’s future. So at every level of education starting from kindergarten parents have to find the best for their children. This is not easy to do because there are so many criteria to consider. It is essential to thoroughly examine every criterion in the list like school education model, teacher quality, academic achievement, social activities, foreign language opportunities, facilities abroad, campus features. Of course, in addition to all this, and most importantly, children will feel happy and discover their interests and abilities; There should be a school that develops these characteristics.
So, do families pay attention to these when choosing a school? Istanbul University-Serahpasa Hasan Ali Usel is an associate professor from the Faculty of Education. Dr. Gulsah Batdal Karaduman mentions that families mostly act on the opinions of the people they refer to. Instead of emphasizing the need for detailed research in schools, Karaduman says that putting academic success before all other criteria is one of the mistakes. Karduman’s tips for families on how to choose a school are as follows:
‘Decide with the child’
– When choosing a school, parents should first consider the student’s needs, interests and abilities. The school should be an environment that is supposed to meet the general needs of the individual, which emerges in the most effective way depending on the developmental characteristics of the individual. Sending students to a school that only conforms to their own desires without considering the student’s interests, needs and qualifications, negatively affects the student’s attitude towards the school. For this reason, the family must make a joint decision with the student when choosing a school.
– The most important thing is the child’s compatibility with the school. It is important for the child to love school and to be united with the school. For this reason, parents should be able to identify schools that provide an environment where their children can be happy and showcase their talents.
– Institutional structures such as school attitudes and missions, the existence of an institutional culture, school management and the quality of teachers and their attitudes towards life are among the factors influencing school choices.
– At the same time, the educational philosophy adopted by the school while imparting education is one of the considerations. There needs to be an innovative approach, keeping the student at the forefront, supporting education with different teaching methods, techniques and materials and the teachers working in the school should be individuals who are open to development. Another thing to consider is the course materials and the books used.
– Families can only focus on the academic achievement of the students and keep the academic achievement ahead of all other areas of development. It would be wrong to choose a school with such an approach. While academic success is important, priority should be given to schools that conduct activities where students have the opportunity to get to know themselves and their personal characteristics are supported.
– Language learning is also an important issue. A school that cares about language learning, especially at an early age, should be given priority.
Teacher staff is important.
– The school should not let the child forget that he is a child. Leisure time should be made for him. The child must be shown the way to find himself without molding.
– Teachers should have a well-trained staff who are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and strive to be a navy, can work in groups and provide a rich learning environment for students.
– The school should give the child the ability to work in a controlled manner, to learn by working, to express himself properly, to be self-disciplined, to cooperate, to share and to solve problems.
– It should offer a rich curriculum. In addition to the main course, foreign language lessons, drama, thinking skills, creativity, etc. There must be lessons as well.
– There should be teachers who can actively use technology in their lessons, take care of 21st century skills and focus on the process.
– Provide access to up-to-date training content and training materials.
– The physical condition of the school should be conducive to education.
– It should provide adequate physical facilities such as adequately sized classrooms, laboratories, workshops, playgrounds and gardens.
– It should be a school that values its teachers and staff. Because the value that is given to the teacher also shows the value that the school gives to education.
– Nature and art should be associated with sports and science, and students should be able to provide a basis for learning the subjects they are curious about.
– Distance between school and home is important. Closed schools should be chosen, especially for young people.
– The school should have programs to support the socio-emotional skills of the students.