Enrolling In Schools--Start the Process Before You Move?

Sharmscharms

Can you please help settle this argument?

My husband says that we should wait until we move to India before trying to start the process of getting the children enrolled in school.

I am thinking that it would be a good idea to start this process now--in case there are waiting lists, etc. I am thinking that it is good to call around to a few different schools in the area --"shop around" if you will as opposed to showing up at the school obviously desparate that you need to put your children in school---and be subject to "extra" fees.

We are expecting to move to Punjab in the next four months.

What do you think?

Haylo

I know that in Delhi there are long waiting lists, but it may be different where you are heading.

Why not find out the names of some good schools and telephone them to ask about waiting lists. I know exactly what your husband means about wanting to see a school first, but if you really hate a school, you can always withdraw your child - can you not visit in advance to check out the schools and areas you might want to live?

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Sharmscharms

Thanks, Haylo.

Unfortunately, it's not possible for us to travel beforehand and check out the schools.

Do you think it will make a difference if I do the calling to the school or my husband? I'm only asking this because it it easier for me to call as my husband works long hours.

Another question--is it even possible to enroll once the school year has already started?

Haylo

If you are only calling to ask about whether or not they have a waiting list, it surely cannot make any difference. If you were negotiating fees, sorry I really don't know enough about it to say whether it would make any difference.

I'm sure someone else will be along who can help you a bit more with this.

Boston123

Sharmscharms,

I'd start sooner rather than later, with phone calls or e mails followed by phone calls. I am aware of a family that has already registered their kids at the American Intl. School, in Delhi,for the school year starting in early August. Since seats in a class of interest to you may be limited, and the school year starts in late July in Northern India, you do not have much time left. This applies to elementary and Montessori schools as well.

Cayle

Start early. Good schools usually have waiting lists. If you are looking at an international school on a western calendar, you are probably looking at a long waiting list and should start ASAP. If you are looking at a school on an Indian calendar, be aware that the summer break is right now (April & May) and the good ones will also have waiting lists. If you wait until arriving, you’ll need a backup plan and might need to home school your kids for the remainder of the year.

You probably won't encounter "extra" fees at a reputable school, but that waiting list...

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Raghu.Kumar

Hi ,

Where in Punjab you are moving to ? Do you want to admit your children as day scholars or put them in boarding schools ?

Raghu

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Sharmscharms

Well be moving to Firozepur. For now we'll want to have the kids in day schools.

ithin

We just moved partially. My wife and kids are in Kerala now and I will join them shortly. Our experience with schools are good so far. My wife took the lead and started exploring the schools almost 6 months ahead of time.

Most of the good schools have their web site etc. We were very particular to live like Indians in India. So chose one school (CBSE syllabus) called Bharatheeya Vidhya Mandir for my 10 yr old girl. She studied their web site thoroughly along with other schools. Also did some research on good play school for my 3 year old boy. BVM school was almost full and we found some of our friends couldn't even get admission as they never cared to check prior.

It turned out to be good. They asked 50K as fund, which will be paid back when the student leaves the school. On top of that they had entrance test. We paid the money 6 months in advance.

The school opens on June 3rd.

It's always a good idea to do a research on this to avoid surprises. Also poiltical connections help in getting admission too in most cases.

Sharmscharms

I agree with you about the research. As far as I know, two of the best schools in the immediate area that we will be staying in are DC Model School and St Joseph's Convent School. DC Model has a website, but St Joseph's doesn't--although I have heard that the english speaking at the latter is much better.

I have also heard before about the political connections, but don't know how much of a play they have in the schools. I have seen school websites that say we do not accept donations and placements are based on merit alone. Perhaps they that's the standard politically correct disclaimer??

My mother-in-law told us not to worry too much about getting into the schools--that when we get there we will have no problem. I hope she's right and I hope they don't give us any trouble about starting late as we won't be there until late July/early August.

4gotoIndia

If you are going for a local English medium school (as distinct from an international school), you might find a thread I put on 'You are not alone' re schools useful. It got somewhat hijacked into a debate about education, which was not the point. But if you and your children are used to the western methods of teaching, you may find that you have to make some considerable adjustments. That is not to say you shouldn't go for it - but better to be prepared.

With regards to your question re getting in touch before you are there. If it is clear which school you'd want to go to then it is worth it, but otherwise I think visits are essential. I wouldn't be swayed by fancy websites. I would go as far as to say you need to spend a few *days* in a school to find out what goes on when parents are not around. The first school we chose because it seemed small and friendly. It was anything but! The second school was much bigger, but had a much better approach.

The second school we asked if we could send our son for a few days to see how he settled - before we paid our fees. They were happy for us to do this (we'd just lost a good amount of money registering him in the first school!)

Good luck with it... it isn't easy!