We were in the midst of this admissions thing mid last month. That too into the 1st Std and LKG!
We were told that getting admissions into 'Bethany's, the 'Joseph's and the likes is going to be very difficult. Since we live in Coimbatore, and all these schools have different time tables with reg to their admission process, it became impossible to plan - since we were told the child will have to be present as well. This academic year was drawing to a close and we did not want the children to miss too many classes.
So having made up our mind to make a concerted week long effort for admissions, the entire family landed in Bangalore. We came prepared with a long list of schools - some recommended by people in the education field themselves.
What we experienced was in some cases an education and in some cases a revelation of sorts! In some places we got shooed away by the security guard, in some places HUMILIATED (Gear Intl - the SADDEST excuse for a school - more on that later) - and in some places welcomed with arms open! We found that Christian missionary schools are as expensive/cheap as some of the new age schools (...burst a bubble there!) with the advantage/disadvantage of having some 60-70 kids in a class with one teacher.
Our children go to a school with some eclectic teaching methods - a combination of Montessori, transaction analysis, and a few other things - Focus is on all round development and not just on academics - and the kids LOVE IT! They are truly happy to go to school and we wanted to ensure we put them in something similar. So out went the 60-70 children in a class schools ( - the fees wasn't exactly cheap in any case! ) Wife was comfortable with the I'Nagar, K'mla, Sarjapur Rd triangle -therefore we went looking there first. DPS had closed their admissions - but we also found that they had some 15 odd sections in LKG alone!
We went to Gear international - and got humiliated! Despite having gone there with proper recommendations, we (3 pairs of parents and children in tow) we were repeatedly HUMILIATED and spoken so rudely to that we walked out out of the place disgusted! Just thinking about it makes my blood boil so will desist for the moment. I feel sad for the parents who already have their children in that school - there is no way a group of people so bereft of culture and manners can ever be educators! We subsequently discovered facts that told us the school was clearly on its way down - on all parameters- which made us feel strangely thankful!
Gear Innovative International School, Off Sarjapur Road, Bangalore | Bangalore Schools
We then went to Greenwood High - good infrastructure but we were warned the fees kept going north every year. We did not consider the other schools in the environs of Greenwood - simply too expensive and with average academics (according to this friend in the Edn business! ). We went to Prakriya - a school very highly recommended for its academics and teaching methods. But BOY were we disappointed - not by their methods, but by the total lack of hygiene in the campus. The grounds were totally dusty - the kind of fine dust that sticks to everything! The children in the lower classes had to sit on the floor - and the floor was covered with this dust! Completely put us off! While returning from this school we saw this statuesque building with manicured football grounds and children of all ages playing football. The board said PRIMUS PUBLIC SCHOOL. It clearly looked like another one of the 'International' schools - and despite protests from my wife we decided to drop in for a look-see. The first thing that hit us was the palpable happiness! The kids there looked like they were enjoying themselves! They were confident and full of beans! They then spend the next hour with us taking us around the school and facilities, we met up and had a very interesting conversation with the key members of the trust. They were clear that they do not believe in 'interview' nonsense! In the meantime the kids were already having a ball on their grounds. All in all a wonderful experience! I don't think there was a moments hesitation - we paid on the spot. And so did another T-BHPian whose children were already going to Greenwood High.
We subsequently had an opportunity to meet a lot of other parents who had pulled their children out of various schools like Ryan Intl, DPS, Greenwood High, Gear, etc and put them here. All of them were clearly more than happy with the school - and that soothed our nerves even more (- there was this feeling that we had rushed head along into it - and maybe we should have seen a few more schools before deciding etc).
Now to find a house or flat within 5 km radius of the school - the closer the better (few joys of being on rent!)! I don't want the children to spend time commuting!
Anyone looking for a school please give this one a visit. It is well worth your time!
PRIMUS - Public School