Every School a Good School

The catchphrase was first coined by then Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat, and sparked off many lively discussions on various online forums on what constitutes a good school. Some defined it by grades, some by the programmes offered and some by having good teachers. I’d define it as one that is good for your child. Regardless, we all want our children to be in good schools, so what should we look out for?

Academic Accolades

This is perhaps the most common factor that is brought up, but is an arguably inaccurate yardstick. In fact, the school may not be the one contributing to the grades. Being in a school with a good academic track record does not mean that your child will achieve the same. Sitting in a McLaren does not make one Lewis Hamilton.

Consider this scenario:

Most of the students in School A are from middle and upper income families who can afford to give their children after-school support. The teachers of School A outsource content learning to these tutors and focus on stretching their students instead. Now imagine a student who excelled in Primary School but whose parents are unable to afford Secondary level tuition studying in School A. He’s motivated and tries to read up on content on his own, but has no one who is an authority on the subject matters to formally teach him. He will find it harder and harder to close the knowledge gap.

Students’ academic achievements should be celebrated, but they are a poor indicator of whether a school is a good school.

Good Teachers

It is a common misconception that schools that produce good grades have better teachers. This is totally untrue. All our teachers are trained in our National Institute of Education and are not assigned to schools based on their grades or capabilities. While I don’t completely agree that every school is a good school, I do believe that every school has good teachers.

Most teachers I know would gladly go the extra mile for their students, solely out of altruism or a sense of responsibility. If you know any other parents who have children in a school you are considering, speaking to them about their children’s teachers would give you a good picture of the quality of care that the teachers there provide.

Programmes

Some schools try to distinguish themselves by having niche programmes. These are usually smaller schools that cannot compete with the more established ones in academics or popular sports like basketball and soccer. You can easily find this information highlighted on the school’s website. Do consider if you want your child to excel in that programme and perhaps how it could be used as a springboard to other platforms.

Culture

One thing I highly advise parents to do is to make a trip to the school. Don’t just rely on second-hand information. School Open Houses, which should be happening this week, are a great opportunity to experience the everyday life of a school. After visiting the different booths meant to display a school’s best profile, take a short walk around on your own if possible. Pop by the canteen, or walk along the classrooms, and greet any students who happen to pass you by.

Observe if the students are generally considerate, orderly, disciplined, lively, confident or polite. These qualities do not happen by accident, albeit unintentionally, but are the indicators of the dominant culture of the school. Your child will likely adhere to that culture, so it is important to find one that aligns to your own values.

Peers

Just as important as culture, in my opinion, are the students that your child will interact with on a daily basis. Personally, I believe that when you choose a school, you are essentially choosing your child’s peers. I’m a firm believer in the power of peer pressure, both positive and negative; and I believe that most children and teenagers have not developed a strong enough sense of identity to not be swayed by their friends. Hence, it is critical that our children are surrounded, not by friends who bring them down, but spur them forward.

In the end, your child’s opinion would be the biggest factor. The teenage years are a volatile time when our children are trying to understand themselves and their place on society and the world. Often times, a good school may just simply be one where your child will find an adult life coach who would point them in the right directions, discover good friends who may walk with them for a lifetime, and ultimately, be happy.

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