Each week my team and I were able to visit the school that the CCH children were attending. From this I have gathered some insight into private schools in India.
Here are some similarities and differences between the two….
–School in India is 6 days a week (M-Saturday with every 2nd Saturday off)
–The private schools these children attend are “English Medium” schools meaning that every subject except their language is taught in English. (our translator told us that if this generation of kids does not speak English they will not be able to get a job when they finish school).
–The public schools here are Telugu medium – which is the local language spoken in this state. Because of this and because of the overall poor quality of public education the CCH children do not attend these schools.
–The school day is LONG where kids wake up between 5-6am to get on the school bus around 8-9am to then get home around 4-5pm. Then the last month or so of school because of the heat the days are shortened….so the kids just have ½ days (7-8am till 12-1pm)
–Our grade levels are called “class” here – so class 1 is like our 1st grade. But here the highest class is 10. After class 10 students depending on their rank in their class go to intermediate school for 11 and 12 class – which is college level. Then they move on to earn a degree at a 4-year college. (Each class has their own room)
–Students wear uniforms…rotating between colors and white depending on the day.
–Technology is not quite as available if at all (photo of building). Most of the schools had a few computers but it is not regularly a part of their school day (BUT that means there are no cell phone distractions for teachers – HAHAHAHA!!!!!)
Inside of a classroom
–There is not cafeteria – everyone has to bring their own lunch.
–There is also NO air conditioning so you have to sweat it out! (hence the ½ days near the end of the school year).
–Much of the instruction is from the teacher (teacher-directed) in a lecture format. There is not as much focus on partner or small group work or student-directed learning. For example the girls were doing their homework which consisted of them rewriting questions and answers in English from that class….no cognition just memory.
The Female staff at a private school
–There are no sports affiliated with school….there are some extracurricular activities such as dancing or chess that take place right after school for about an hour.
–Students from young ages up to class 10 take annual exams…which stress them out just like in the states, maybe even more so because of the weight they have on their future positioning (college, career).
–Within the class, the first and second best students are recognized and wear a pin
Student on right is wearing blue pin that say First and
the green pin says Second (who is one of the CCH boys!)
–When I ask the students if they like school every one of them says YES!!!!! They consider it an HONOR to go to school.
During our second week school visit, the principal gave us a tour, feed us lunch with ICE CREAM, turned on the India vs. Zimbabwe cricket match, and gave us sarees!
School principal & his family
We also learned more about his story….he comes from a village family in which is father died of alcoholism leaving his mom to work for he and his 5 siblings. He worked hard through school and ended up getting a degree in education. He opened this school in 2003 after 20 years of teaching. His passion for education is for every child to receive a quality education so they can achieve MUCH for their futures! I was so inspired by his dedication for making this come true for many children.
So the next time you find yourself complaining about your education – Find the positives in what you DO have and consider what educational conditions are like for other children around the world!!!
Miss Madawick
><>
