Both Suresh and I went to below average schools when we were growing up in India. While we managed to do somewhat okay academically – we were very aware that we had missed an overall grounding in non academic fields. Public speaking, theatre, music…..you get the picture.
So for us it was extremely clear that Dhruv needed to go to absolutely the best school possible – which would not make academics a drudgery and lay high emphasis on overall personality development.
We were in Bombay when Dhruv was of pre-schooling age. We were keen that he join a pre-school that would improve his chances of getting into a good school (!).We chose Gymabroo which was the favourite of the Bandra filmstars as well. So it was that on “Father’s day at school” Suresh rubbed shoulders with Shah Rukh Khan (ahem!)
We then moved to Amsterdam……………..where our first major schooling decision was taken . We had to choose between the local schools ( Dutch curriculum and medium of instruction) or the British School of Amsterdam (British curriculum) which is a good international school. BSA was no breeze when it came to the fees – but we were clear (Suresh even more than Madhuri) that that is where he would go. It was probably the best decision we took for Dhruv. BSA turned out to be an outstanding school and we believe Dhruv’s facility with language was definitely picked up there among other things.
The decision was far tougher in Singapore where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to schools. We tried the Global Indian International School (CBSE curriculum) which was fine except that we discovered that international schooling can be a one-way street. Once you get used to it – its mighty difficult especially for the child(and parents) to adjust to our good old Indian style academics.
After much mulling over and visting over a dozen schools (some more than once) we finally settled on the United World College of South East Asia (IB curriuclum). This school had a lengthy waiting list – but Dhruv will now finally start going there starting the next academic year.
The Rubicon has been crossed. Dhruv will now always be in the IB stream which probably means that he wont have a very rigorously academic orientation Does that mean IIT ( if he is even interested) will not be an option ? Will he miss out on the cultural grounding that an Indian schooling could provide ? Will we able to make that up at home?
Its too early to tell. For now we have followed our instinct in what we think will be best for him.
Que Cera Cera.
As for Madhav – far too early. But obviously the decision process will be pretty much the same – evolved after Dhruv’s experience by then.
For the un-initiated like yours truly, what does IB stand for? From your attempts to get him to this stream, it would appear that this is the ideal.
ReplyDeleteYet there are reservations expressed like say less academic orientation, less chances of IIT etc. Naresh however discounts this.
For the benifit of the prev-gen, would like to have some "gyan".
Love Beta, all the best Vichu alias ALV
Wow, you guys have taken quite the set of schooling decisions spanning the globe from Mumbai to Amsterdam to Singapore! Your aspirations for a broader and rounder education for your kids certainly resonates with mine. At the expense of slowing down progress in calculus and science, it is not all bad to have a kid pick up golf or soccer, dance or drama. In fact, it may be mind bending but not all bad again to consider totally alternate careers for our kids than we have carved out for ourselves. Perhaps be a middle class, happy musician or teacher, than a rich, urban "professional". But then again, would I choose to have Apoorva lead a lifestyle that I myself am reluctant to choose?
ReplyDeleteYes, we seem to be thinking pretty much on the same track. While it seems lovely to think that Dhruv might become a literary guy - he is showing all inclinations towards it - with an enormous amount of reading and creative writing - we worry that unless you are a J K Rowling or thereabouts - living a materially comfortable existence might be a challenge. Used ,as they are, to all the comforts we provide them.....
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