CHOOSING A SCHOOL: The experts advice
Oct 20, 2010
ACCORDING to Moses Otyek, the former director of Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling, good sanitation is fundamental. The school should have clean toilets and running water to wash hands or bathe especially after physical exercises.
By Vision Reporter
ACCORDING to Moses Otyek, the former director of Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling, good sanitation is fundamental. The school should have clean toilets and running water to wash hands or bathe especially after physical exercises.
In addition, Otyek says it is important to find out whether the school has a spacious compound and playing materials. Playing is an important component in early childhood education and development.
“Find out about the location of the school. Schools near the road are not safe especially for primary children while those located in trading centres have a lot of obstructions,†Francis Atima, the acting principal inspector Secondary Education Standards, notes.
He encourages parents to visit the dormitories (if it is a boarding school) and check out the conditions and safety of the children. Establish whether the school has got security guards and matrons to ensure the children are secure.
In case of a day school, Atima says, consider proximity. Is the school near your work place or home to avoid making the child travel long distances, or is it near your work place just in case an emergency arises. Besides, Atima notes that a school near home is ideal because children learn better in a familiar environment.
Atima advises parents to find out the past academic performance of the school as well. Ask for the previous Primary Leaving Examination results so as to have an idea about academic performance of the school. He also advises parents to choose a private school that is registered with the Ministry of Education.
Otyek echoes a similar thought. He encourages parents or guardians to establish what kind of teachers the school employs. Are they friendly or they are the kind that torture children. What about their skills? Are they qualified? Otyek notes that you can be certain about the teachers’ qualifications by choosing a registered school since it is one of the requirements before registration.
He also cautions parents not to ignore the aspect of school fees structure. Choose a school which you can afford to pay fees to avoid the inconvenience of the child being sent home due to school fees defaulting.
Sarah Namirimu, a long-time serving matron, urges parents to find out what kind of food the children are given and if possible visit the kitchen to check out the hygiene. In addition, Namirimu affirms that choosing a school with a good religious background is an added advantage because besides providing academic skills, the children are also given spiritual nourishment.
A good primary school is the foundation for child development
According to on line sources, a good primary school gives strong emphasis on the foundation stage for the children. The foundation stage is the first stage of the National Curriculum with its focus on six major learning areas — knowledge and understanding of the surroundings, physical development, creative development, mathematical development, personal, social and emotional development, development of communication, language and literacy.
The best primary schools understand that each child is different and so will experience different stages of development. Accordingly, their staff plan activities taking into account the distinct needs of every child.
Preparing for Primary one interviews
Once you thoroughly research and identify the potential school, make sure you enroll your child early. Most of the schools conduct interviews before admitting your child. Othieno says “an interview is an assessment that helps the school know where to start when they take on a child.â€
Many schools announce dates when they will be conducting interviews, students attend and those that excel are contacted or a list is fixed on the school’s notice board.
However, there are schools that necessitate a child to meet some requirements. For example most schools permit only children who are six years of age, those who are five can only be eligible if they will make six at least before the end of July. So, a child will have to carry a birth certificate as well.
Othieno says they interview the child in Maths and English basing on what the child studied in nursery.
Kamugisha says in a P1 interview, the interest is to find out if a child knows the parents’ names, if the child knows their former school. They will also try to find out whether the child knows the alphabet and whether the child can count.
Some schools may ask several other questions but normally what is given rotates around what they have learnt in nursery.
While choosing your child’s school, remember a well-built foundation prepares your child to aptly meet the challenges he or she may encounter in any competitive entrance exams to secondary school.
What the professionals say
Moses Otyek, former director Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling
As a psychologist, I would say primary one interviews do not make sense, which is the reason government schools admit everyone. But because of the stiff competition, private schools are forced to conduct them. During interviews, focus should be put on the basics; it should rotate around the physical and mental development of the child. Mental ability can be tested through asking questions, for example, what is your name? Why do you wash your hands? You can tell physical ability by simply looking at the child to determine whether it is strong enough.
Parents should carry a document describing the behaviour and mental level of the child, birth certificate and medical reports in case of chronic illness. If you do not have a birth certificate, a baptism card can work.
Aggrey David Kibenge –principal Secretary & public Relations officer MOE & sports
Due to pressure from parents, private schools use interviews as a convenient method to select from the many applicants. But this does not mean that the children left out do not qualify. Ordinarily all children should qualify to enter primary one because not all children get a chance to go through pre-primary.
Okiror, headteacher, Kabojja Junior
Primary one interview is conducted depending on school policy and mode of selection. But at Kabojja Junior, we encourage parents to bring photocopies of birth certificates to ascertain the children’s age because parents send us underage children including those who have not gone through pre-primary. In addition, they are expected to carry two current passport size photographs.
George Kayabuki, Inspector of Schools Early Childhood Department Education
Primary one interview is not really necessary because the children must have gone through pre-primary section. Nevertheless, they are expected to carry an evaluation document to show completion of the pre-primary stage, a birth certificate because the ministry policy recommends six years as the right entry age and an immunization card to certify that the child was immunized against the six killer diseases.
During the interview, basic knowledge is tested. Children are asked their name, names of parents and teachers, previous schools and what their interests are.
Sister Sagal Teresa, headteacher St. Kizito Primary School Bugolobi
Primary One interviews are intended to establish whether the child is ready academically. Does the child know the basics, for example, counting numbers, reading alphabets or matching objects? In addition, the interviews test for speech and physical ability. Documents needed include birth certificate to be sure of the child’s age, medical report to know the health history of the child, baptism card and passport size photographs.
Connie Kateba, the director of the National Curriculum Development Centre
The Ministry of Education does not expect children to sit for Primary One entry interviews. Private schools do it to set their own standards. But government schools admit every child who turns up because according to the curriculum we ensure that all the children are prepared for primary during the pre-primary stage.
Joyce Othieno, the acting commissioner of basic standards for pre-primary and primary education
According to the Ministry of Education policy, we do not welcome the idea of interviews. Instead we put emphasis on age. The recommended entry age is six years. To test mental ability, we talk to the child and examine the child physically. However, by the time of entry to primary one, the child is expected to know his or her name and the names of the parents. As a requirement, the parents should carry a birth certificate for the child and an immunization card.
Compiled by Agnes Kyotalengerire
ACCORDING to Moses Otyek, the former director of Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling, good sanitation is fundamental. The school should have clean toilets and running water to wash hands or bathe especially after physical exercises.
In addition, Otyek says it is important to find out whether the school has a spacious compound and playing materials. Playing is an important component in early childhood education and development.
“Find out about the location of the school. Schools near the road are not safe especially for primary children while those located in trading centres have a lot of obstructions,†Francis Atima, the acting principal inspector Secondary Education Standards, notes.
He encourages parents to visit the dormitories (if it is a boarding school) and check out the conditions and safety of the children. Establish whether the school has got security guards and matrons to ensure the children are secure.
In case of a day school, Atima says, consider proximity. Is the school near your work place or home to avoid making the child travel long distances, or is it near your work place just in case an emergency arises. Besides, Atima notes that a school near home is ideal because children learn better in a familiar environment.
Atima advises parents to find out the past academic performance of the school as well. Ask for the previous Primary Leaving Examination results so as to have an idea about academic performance of the school. He also advises parents to choose a private school that is registered with the Ministry of Education.
Otyek echoes a similar thought. He encourages parents or guardians to establish what kind of teachers the school employs. Are they friendly or they are the kind that torture children. What about their skills? Are they qualified? Otyek notes that you can be certain about the teachers’ qualifications by choosing a registered school since it is one of the requirements before registration.
He also cautions parents not to ignore the aspect of school fees structure. Choose a school which you can afford to pay fees to avoid the inconvenience of the child being sent home due to school fees defaulting.
Sarah Namirimu, a long-time serving matron, urges parents to find out what kind of food the children are given and if possible visit the kitchen to check out the hygiene. In addition, Namirimu affirms that choosing a school with a good religious background is an added advantage because besides providing academic skills, the children are also given spiritual nourishment.
A good primary school is the foundation for child development
According to on line sources, a good primary school gives strong emphasis on the foundation stage for the children. The foundation stage is the first stage of the National Curriculum with its focus on six major learning areas — knowledge and understanding of the surroundings, physical development, creative development, mathematical development, personal, social and emotional development, development of communication, language and literacy.
The best primary schools understand that each child is different and so will experience different stages of development. Accordingly, their staff plan activities taking into account the distinct needs of every child.
Preparing for Primary one interviews
Once you thoroughly research and identify the potential school, make sure you enroll your child early. Most of the schools conduct interviews before admitting your child. Othieno says “an interview is an assessment that helps the school know where to start when they take on a child.â€
Many schools announce dates when they will be conducting interviews, students attend and those that excel are contacted or a list is fixed on the school’s notice board.
However, there are schools that necessitate a child to meet some requirements. For example most schools permit only children who are six years of age, those who are five can only be eligible if they will make six at least before the end of July. So, a child will have to carry a birth certificate as well.
Othieno says they interview the child in Maths and English basing on what the child studied in nursery.
Kamugisha says in a P1 interview, the interest is to find out if a child knows the parents’ names, if the child knows their former school. They will also try to find out whether the child knows the alphabet and whether the child can count.
Some schools may ask several other questions but normally what is given rotates around what they have learnt in nursery.
While choosing your child’s school, remember a well-built foundation prepares your child to aptly meet the challenges he or she may encounter in any competitive entrance exams to secondary school.
What the professionals say
Moses Otyek, former director Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling
As a psychologist, I would say primary one interviews do not make sense, which is the reason government schools admit everyone. But because of the stiff competition, private schools are forced to conduct them. During interviews, focus should be put on the basics; it should rotate around the physical and mental development of the child. Mental ability can be tested through asking questions, for example, what is your name? Why do you wash your hands? You can tell physical ability by simply looking at the child to determine whether it is strong enough.
Parents should carry a document describing the behaviour and mental level of the child, birth certificate and medical reports in case of chronic illness. If you do not have a birth certificate, a baptism card can work.
Aggrey David Kibenge –principal Secretary & public Relations officer MOE & sports
Due to pressure from parents, private schools use interviews as a convenient method to select from the many applicants. But this does not mean that the children left out do not qualify. Ordinarily all children should qualify to enter primary one because not all children get a chance to go through pre-primary.
Okiror, headteacher, Kabojja Junior
Primary one interview is conducted depending on school policy and mode of selection. But at Kabojja Junior, we encourage parents to bring photocopies of birth certificates to ascertain the children’s age because parents send us underage children including those who have not gone through pre-primary. In addition, they are expected to carry two current passport size photographs.
George Kayabuki, Inspector of Schools Early Childhood Department Education
Primary one interview is not really necessary because the children must have gone through pre-primary section. Nevertheless, they are expected to carry an evaluation document to show completion of the pre-primary stage, a birth certificate because the ministry policy recommends six years as the right entry age and an immunization card to certify that the child was immunized against the six killer diseases.
During the interview, basic knowledge is tested. Children are asked their name, names of parents and teachers, previous schools and what their interests are.
Sister Sagal Teresa, headteacher St. Kizito Primary School Bugolobi
Primary One interviews are intended to establish whether the child is ready academically. Does the child know the basics, for example, counting numbers, reading alphabets or matching objects? In addition, the interviews test for speech and physical ability. Documents needed include birth certificate to be sure of the child’s age, medical report to know the health history of the child, baptism card and passport size photographs.
Connie Kateba, the director of the National Curriculum Development Centre
The Ministry of Education does not expect children to sit for Primary One entry interviews. Private schools do it to set their own standards. But government schools admit every child who turns up because according to the curriculum we ensure that all the children are prepared for primary during the pre-primary stage.
Joyce Othieno, the acting commissioner of basic standards for pre-primary and primary education
According to the Ministry of Education policy, we do not welcome the idea of interviews. Instead we put emphasis on age. The recommended entry age is six years. To test mental ability, we talk to the child and examine the child physically. However, by the time of entry to primary one, the child is expected to know his or her name and the names of the parents. As a requirement, the parents should carry a birth certificate for the child and an immunization card.
Compiled by Agnes Kyotalengerire