Day School vs Boarding School: Why and Why Not

Day School vs Boarding School – When you say Boarding Schools are good, you elicit opinions that

Day School vs Boarding School: Why and Why Not

Day School vs Boarding School – When you say Boarding Schools are good, you elicit opinions that range from complete agreement to vehement disagreement. To be precise, there is clear daylight between the two schools of thought. And, honestly, one can’t choose between the two. There are reasons that justify private day schooling, as there are things in favour of the boarding school system.

As opined in the previous article, it is necessary to define conditions pertaining to the family and needs of the child. Like each child differs in nature, their academic and social requirements, too, vary. Examined in this context, parents can arrive at a schooling system that is in tune with the needs of the child.

Day School vs Boarding School

Multi-dimensional development

The growth and development of a child don’t just mean physical growth and academic progress. There are 5 significant areas of development: Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social and Moral. While it’s only ideal that there is a mathematically accurate distribution of time and attention towards these areas, it is, practically impossible. However, one surely can make a dedicated, focused effort towards this. And, Boarding schools, are inherently designed with this in mind.

Boarding schools, even with the alienation fears, succeed in creating favourable conditions for multidimensional and multidisciplinary development. In such a schooling system, children are not just learning for 6 hours in the confines of the classroom. Here, the learning goes beyond textbooks. In fact, the process of learning, here, is 24*7. Also, children here are provided with the opportunity and necessary conditions to develop a healthy routine.

From sports to arts, language skills to personality development, children find an opportunity to expand the horizon of possibilities. Idle time becomes obsolete and productive time finds a manifold increase among children at residential schools. The amount of time dedicated to extra-curricular activities is a big plus, which weighs in favour of boarding schools.

Boarding School Syndrome

On the contrary, life in a boarding school isn’t always welcoming. Living away from family for years, with just a few visits back home, can impair relationships. Moreover, children can develop homesickness, which affects their development in multiple ways. Also, there are cases of abuse, which might take more time to report and living away from family during such times, might scar children for life. While most boarding schools these days are progressive, the decision to opt for one, too, must go through a multi-dimensional analysis.

The fact that boarding schools can expose children to long-term psychological problems, is indeed a cause for concern. Coined by psychotherapist Jon Schaverien in 2011, the term ‘Boarding School Syndrome’ relates to psychological problems in adults that are the result of being sent to boarding school at an early age.

Day School vs Boarding School: Trial but no error, please

Even though the ‘trial and error method’ is applicable to different aspects of life, it goes without saying that experimenting with a child’s schooling and future is a strict no-no. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to carefully examine your child’s response to various situations, their sleep schedule, nature of interaction with friends, family and teachers

On the whole, the decision of parents has no less than a direct consequence on the child. Not just in terms of success, but in their overall happiness and mental health in adult life. Boarding school might make great leaders from young curious minds and it can scuttle the future of others.

So, what suits your child best in this Day School vs Boarding School debate? The answer, surely, solely, lies with you.

Also Read: 8 Things Children Should Be Deciding On Their Own

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