- Many parents have opted to take their children to boarding school.
- This may be due to many work and household responsibilities.
- Independence is one of the benefits learners receive at boarding schools.
Many parents are burdened by work and household responsibilities, so much so that they find it a bit challenging to pay full attention to their children's needs. That is when they consider sending them to boarding school.
If you are considering taking your little one to boarding school but you still have some doubts this article is for you.
David Clark, who is the head of school at Bridge House School in Franschhoek in the Western Cape, shares some of the benefits that boarding schools comprise.
Helps them prepare for independence
David explains that boarding school learners are bound to adapt to independence. Being away from their parents and home, they are given the opportunity to make their own choices, take care of their own well-being as well as learning responsibility and self-discipline.
"Boarding school is a fantastic choice for many of our families and we are seeing it grow into a popular option for many. It provides a ‘home-away-from-home' environment that enables children to focus their attention on both their studies and extracurricular activities, whilst fostering independence and confidence in a culturally diverse setting," David states.
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Enhanced emotional intelligence
Despite the children being exposed to independence, they are still well nurtured by trained adults and educators who will ensure that they are taken care of emotionally and that they are guided to make emotionally intelligent decisions.
"Our boarding staff are well-equipped to nurture the children entrusted into their care and to provide the necessary pastoral support to ensure a healthy balance between their academic and downtime routines."
David adds that because boarding school learners are exposed to other children from different walks of life, they will develop social and emotional skills such as resilience, empathy and collaboration.
Preparation for professional lives
"A school is much more than a place of learning for a young person, it is an environment that will shape their future," David states. He explains that boarding school is a great place for children to socially prepare for adulthood and for their professional lives.
Co-educational (Co-ed) boarding schools allow learners to engage with different genders and different races, which prepares them to understand the different backgrounds of others.
"Co-ed schools offer a diverse and inclusive learning environment where students from varied backgrounds and perspectives come together. This better prepares our students for the multicultural world they will enter into as adults and equips them with the social skills necessary to develop healthy relationships in their personal and professional lives," David states.
"A co-educational boarding school model helps to build respect between different genders, allowing for a greater understanding of each other," David adds.
