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Originally Posted by luvDriving 1. Does this mean that someone learning in alternative schools cannot be taken into 'regular' schools if it comes to that later on ? |
There is no such problem,but the early years the progress is slow in all alternative education schools,since their emphasis is on building the basics.My daughter began to write only from Grade 1.She goes to a Waldorf school,but if you are looking at changing somewhere after the 7th or so,it shouldnt be a problem as the "regular" schools and alternative schools are on par by then.
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Originally Posted by luvDriving 2. Our entire system of education is heavily dependent on the memory effectiveness of any child. Will alternative schooling mean the child will lag behind ? |
Alternative schooling methods also depend on memory,recall methods etc.Just that there is no memorising or mugging up to the levels that are seen in the mainstream schools.There is a reason provided for everything in the real alternative schools,there is no blind mugging up applied and since they go real slow,the kids imbibe the essence of it.Like tables in regular schools start sometime in Grade1,whereas most of the alternative schools start multiplication tables somewhere around Grade 3.So overall it is slow progression but yes its a solid foundation that is being laid.From my personal experiences,the waldorf kids from my daughters school exhibit no stage fright and are encouraged to make mistakes and are told its ok to be imperfect and its ok to be not knowing certain things.
All in all,if there is an option for a good alternative school within your city,I would say opt for it,it is less taxing on the parents and kids(but yes parents need to be prepared to see their kids progressing slowly as opposed to your neighbours' kids who may be on the fast track.I had an experience of a child in 2nd grade of a "regular" school coming upto to me and telling me,do not use airconditioner because something will happen to ozone layer-what will happen to ozone,what is ozone,how is it formed-no information on any of those and the reply I got was,my teacher told me to memorize about ozone and come and it is very tough so I only memorized the easy part
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Originally Posted by luvDriving 3. Any other thoughts on this topic ?
Home schooling or alternative schooling is not yet popular or even considered on par with regular schooling at least in India. But there are instances of people opting for this path and doing it successfully. Maybe there is a reason that this has not caught on yet but is it due to our mentality and view towards education or something else ? |
Homeschooling is quite popular.There are millions taking up exams via NIOS especially kids with learning disabilities etc.But yes the atmosphere of a class or a school cannot be replicated try how much,in a home schooling system-and that is a drawback.In terms of resources too,unless you are in a big city (some big cities too lack the kind of resources and qualified tutors)it is a problem.
Alternative education is quite popular.The mentality of the parents has a huge role to play,not every one is ready to play the waiting game.Anxiety starts building up.I have somebody in my apartment teaching grade 1 and grade 2 kids competitive maths(tips on how to tackle maths in entrance exams)-it is one thing that there is somebody to sell this scam and it is another thing that there is somebody out there willing to fall for this scam.So alternative education is not for such people.Costs for alternative education too can be high(it is not as prohibitive as the costs that international schools charge),but it is definitely higher than the average regular school.Ofcourse the returns in the form of solid foundation etc are non-negotiable.
The problems begin when after a year or two,the parents begin to get anxious as to why child is not doing all the things that my friends' kids are doing.In a bid to offset that,parents begin to start sending their kids for classes,tuitions,extra work etc-all of which interferes and hampers with the alternative schooling mantra which is followed at school.Such parents defeat the whole idea of alternative schooling.Adopt alternative schooling only if you are ready to be patient and ready to handle peer pressure,else do not bother with it.Make a sane and informed decision,do not put your kids in alternative schools just to be different-something that I have observed.Such people after the first two years lose patience and get them admitted into regular schools(there is always that regular school who is ready to take a child one class lower,if you are ready to pay a little extra)at the cost of the child's mental well being.
Ideally check for the class10 results of the alternative school that you have shortlisted.The results will speak for themselves if the methodology followed in that school is working or not.