FOLLOWING the recent release of Primary Leaving Exams and O’level results and the subsequent selection exercise, many a parent have been up and about in search of schools for their children joining either Senior 1 or Senior 5.

During this period, parents are under pressure to get the best school for their children. Due to the busy daily routine to make ends meet, many parents have resorted to the easy way of searching for schools. This includes using the internet and looking at adverts in the media. 

While it is ok to use these channels, they may not give you a true picture of the school. You need to consider a physical visit to that school before you make that decision. Do not be taken up by adverts or billboards of schools to make such a crucial decision. Even recommendations from other people should not be your basis on which school to send your child. Find time to physically visit the school where you want your child to go. 

Look at the basic structures of the schools, are they in sound shape? What kind of teachers does the school employ? Are they qualified and is the school licensed by the Education ministry? What is the academic history of the school? A quick look at the school’s performance over the last years, could give you a hint on the school’s academic performance history. Searching for a school is not a task a parent should delegate to another person. 

The consequence of not taking time to assess the kind of school where your child is headed could lead to regrets. It remains a big challenge for parents to access authoritative information to help them make informed decisions about the right schools to enroll children, but sparing time to do some research and back ground checks will help you get the right school for your child.