Advice about schooling

LondonLass

Hi all

I am newly registered to this site although I have read through various threads and found them quite useful.

My situation is that I am an English Londoner about to marry a Hyderabadi male and we will be relocating to Hyderabad in the near future.

I am bringing my two teenage sons with me and need some advice regarding schooling for my 14 year old son.

As it is our intention to permanently settle in India I would prefer him to attend an Indian Public School rather than an International school. I believe that the curiculum will differ and wonder if anyone has experience of schooling a child of this age in an Indian Public School.

Any help and advice would be gratefully received.

capt_mahajan

There are quite a few general threads about schooling in India.

Specifically, at 14, (approx Class 9 level in india), I can tell you that

- admission into a 'good' Indian school is likely to difficult
-more importantly, the difference between London and Hyderabad education will put a lot of pressure on him at a pretty critical time (with the board exams a year or so away). The pressure will be academic, cultural and system- related, at least.

__________________
When I look up, I see people cashing in. I don't see heaven, or saints or angels. I see people cashing in on every decent impulse and human tragedy. -Heller, Catch-22

LondonLass

Thanks for your reply Capt_Mahajan.

My son has undergone a radical change in cultures etc once before, when I had a work related move to Spain for a year and he attended Spanish State school. He adapted very quickly and fortunately is a very competent academic student. I realise that this change would be more drastic in that he would be living and learning on a different continent and I have debated long and hard over whether I should remain in England until he finishes his education (and thus be living apart from my fiance) or whether to take the plunge wholeheartedly now.

AprilFlower

You probably don't want to put him in an Indian Public School but rather private. Public education here is generally not considered very good (with a few exceptions). I think you should have a look at the curriculum before deciding to put your son in 9th standard here. There are exam books as well as the curriculum books that are easily available and your husbands relitives might be able to send you something.

I am not questioning that your son is extremely bright but the emphasis in education is quite different here and I think it would be extremely difficult for him to "cram" all the useless facts he will need to do well on his 10th standard exams. Especially where social studies/general knowledge are concerned. There are lots of historical Indians and Indian history that your son will have to learn and the mathematics standards are quite high here. You may find it beneficial for both you and your son for him to attend an international school.

I am not a parent so this is just my opinion based on my nephew/relitives living here. Many of the things my nephew in 5th standard is forced to memorize was stuff I learned in college. He may not understand what he is memorizing but yet he has to know it for his exams. Did you learn about Openheimer in 5th standard?

LondonLass

Opeheimer and the atomic bomb lol to be honest i never learned about it but my son seemingly knows about it.

He already has GCSE Statistical Maths grade A and is predicted an A in science and English.

Thanks for your advice. It is really helpful.

capt_mahajan

It is not just academic levels. It is the pressure that is put on kids in the Indian system. An Indian child (and parent) is used to that from an early age, and has learnt to cope. Considering that the hysteria gets even more strident the older you get in school and reaches a crescendo around the board exams, the 9th or so can be especially tough.

Boston123

I think we should be clear about what a 'Public School' in India means. Typically these schools are more like 'Private' schools in the US, and other parts of the world. What these schools( and there are a limited number in India)in addition to a good academic curriculum, is sports( think swimming, track and field, soccer, etc..)with sufficient playing fields, arts and crafts, music and everything else you'd want for a well rounded educational experience. The Hyderabad Public School( in Begumpet) is a good example. Of course the fees are commensurately high as well.