From Moaz Nair
Sending a child to a residential school is a noteworthy decision with potential benefits and downsides.
Residential schools, no doubt, can nurture independence, provide a structured and conducive academic environment, and offer a sense of community.
However, they can also be a source of emotional strain for both the child and the family, and residential schools may not be the right fit for every child.
Parents should not shirk their responsibilities. Some may feel relieved when their child is selected to study in a residential school — be it conventional or religious.
They may have the perception that their responsibility for the child’s welfare ends there, and that it is now the school authorities’ obligation to care for the child.
But parents should be aware that separation from family can be emotionally challenging for a child, possibly leading to feelings of homesickness, anxiety, dejection, and even isolation.
They will have less direct involvement in their child’s daily life, character building, and academic progress compared to day schools.
Parents also have to bear in mind that while residential schools strive to create a safe environment, instances of bullying – though not the norm – or other social issues can still occur.
This is a universal phenomenon in schools and not unique to this country.
When an unpleasant incident happens to a child, school authorities should not be solely blamed. Parents, too, must take responsibility.
Some children – coming from various backgrounds – may not thrive in a residential school environment, particularly those who are highly sensitive, mentally vulnerable, have special needs, or are not ready for the level of independence required.
Before making a decision, parents must consider the child’s readiness for a residential school, taking into account their personality, maturity level, and ability to adapt to a new environment.
A child’s excellent academic performance should not be the sole criterion.
Parents need to gain a better understanding of the school’s culture and environment, and whether the child can emotionally adapt to the new setup.
There must be open and continuous communication with the child before, during, and after the transition to residential school.
As for any school authority, handling hundreds of students with varied personalities and backgrounds is not an easy task.
Ultimately, however, the choice of whether or not to send a child to a residential school is a personal one, and parents should carefully weigh the potential benefits and downsides based on their individual circumstances and their child’s needs.
Moaz Nair is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
